FBI joins town investigation

BROWNSTOWN — Council members appointed an interim clerk-treasurer Monday to handle the day-to-day operations in the county seat pending a state and federal investigation.

The decision to appoint Cathy Roberts, who had been serving as assistant to Clerk-treasurer Rebecka Fee, came shortly after a brief statement read by council President Leroy Warren during the meeting at Town Hall.

Warren said in his statement that the council agreed to appoint Roberts to the interim position effective Oct. 19.

“Pending completion of an investigation by the Indiana State Police and the FBI,” Warren added.

Warren did not elaborate on the investigation or who was the focus of that investigation.

Earlier in the day, when questioned about whether Fee had resigned, Warren said he had not heard anything about a resignation.

Councilman Jim Phillips declined to comment on the matter after the meeting. Other council members also left without commenting.

In October, Fee told The Tribune that the state board of accounts was auditing the town’s books.

Fee could not be reached for comment concerning the council’s decision or the investigation.

Fee is in her third term as clerk-treasurer. She became clerk-treasurer in 1999 when she was appointed to the position after Barb Gaiter resigned. Gaiter had been elected to the position in 1999, but resigned before taking office because she moved out of town.

Roberts has been employed by the town since 1995.