Sanders County officials said last week that law enforcement is investigating a former Hot Springs School District employee.  

The Hot Springs School Board voted to turn over the investigation into former Business Manager and Clerk Carmen Jackson to law enforcement during an Oct. 15 special meeting.  

A letter was sent to Sanders County Attorney Jania Hatfield on Oct. 29 from Kaleva Law, on behalf of the school board, asking her office to investigate the findings of an audit report released in September.  

The report, which was limited to one year, alleged that Jackson embezzled thousands of dollars in grant money, gave herself unapproved payroll advances and made personal purchases with the district’s credit cards. 

Since Jackson worked for the district for more than 20 years, board members remained concerned with the breadth of the issue, according to the letter.  

Hatfield told the Inter Lake law enforcement is investigating the issue, but did not say whether her office was directly involved. Citing the investigation, she said she could provide no additional information. 

Sanders County Sheriff Shawn Fielders said in an email that the county has taken the initial report but may reach out to an outside agency for assistance. 

County officials have not yet determined which agency could be contacted to assist with the investigation, Fielders said. 

Gwyn Anderson from ANB Consulting is school district’s the current interim business manager and clerk after the board voted to terminate the contract of Jackson’s temporary replacement in early November.  

Reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at 758-4439 or [email protected].