Former St. Ignatius Mayor Charley Gariepy expressed shock when he learned secretary for the St. Ignatius Firefighters Auxiliary Board Annie Morigeau was arrested for allegedly embezzling $59,000. Morigeau was arrested 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, in the area of St. Ignatius.

As of press time Tuesday, Annie Morigeau is in Lake County Jail in Polson. Her bond is set at $50,000.

Gariepy, who worked with Morigeau on the city council for four years, expressed his surprise when he learned of the news of Morigeau’s arrest. Gariepy recalled Morigeau was also involved with the ambulance department during his tenure as mayor.

The Lake County Sheriff assisted the St. Ignatius Police Department in the felony theft and forgery case, according to a press release distributed by the Lake County Sheriff’s office.

“I’ve known Annie pretty much all of her life from when she was a little girl,” Gariepy said. “It doesn’t seem like something that she would do from what I know of her. My stomach is churning, just thinking about it.”

Gariepy, who was mayor of St. Ignatius from 2008 to 2017, said he wondered where the money from the auxiliary board would go.

Morigeau was secretary of the St. Ignatius Auxiliary Board, which operates off of donations and auctions in the community. Gariepy stated that he thought he was retired before Morigeau got involved with the Auxiliary Board.

During Gariepy’s tenure as mayor, he claimed he was always told the St. Ignatius Auxiliary Board had nothing to do with the fire department.

“I was told that was none of our business how much money was in the (Auxiliary Board),” Gariepy said. “I thought that was kind of strange.”

This is a developing story