Three Preble County landfill employees were fired and the director resigned after an internal investigation found they were taking cash from people dumping trash and dropping it into a “pop fund” coffee can under the counter used for office parties.

Investigative records, obtained by the Dayton Daily News using Ohio’s public records laws, say it’s unclear how much money was misappropriated or how long the practice was going on, though it was likely for “several years.”

County officials say the county prosecutor’s office is reviewing the details to determine whether criminal charges are warranted.

The investigation began when county officials questioned landfill account clerk Stacy Neff about a missing pay-in. In response, she wrote a seven page letter full of wide-ranging allegations, much of which was unsubstantiated, having to do with a supervisor having an inappropriate relationship with her daughter and widespread misuse of county resources.

Neff explained how the “pop fund” worked: when a customer didn’t want a receipt, they would sit that receipt aside and give it to the next customer and take that customer’s money and drop it in a coffee can under the counter. She also wrote that the drawer was over up to $30 a night and that money was placed in the can.

The “pop fund” was used to pay for pizza, a bowling trip, ice cream, birthday cakes, cookouts, and more Neff wrote. There was no accounting of how much was there and how it was spent.

“Obviously the biggest concern is using taxpayer dollars that paid for a service for something other than the operation or service of the landfill,” Commission President Chris Day told the Daily News Wednesday.

The county prosecutor’s office worked with consultant Clemans Nelson and Associates – which was paid more than $4,000 – for two weeks interviewing those involved.

Landfill director John Jones, who Neff wrote directed them to use the “pop fund” denied doing anything wrong but resigned when asked to do a lie detector test. His resignation letter said he was leaving “so that I may pursue other career opportunities.”

Jones had worked for the county since 2001 and was promoted to run the landfill in 2010. He resigned making $55,182 a year.

Solid Waste Coordinator Latisha Plaugher typed up Neff’s letter for her, but denied knowledge of the letter when asked about it. She was fired for lying to investigators. She made $33,779 a year.

“I am extremely sorry that I wasn’t completely truthful at the time,” she told commissioners at the Nov. 7 hearing where she, Neff and part-time account clerk Jeffery Howard were terminated.

Howard – who started his own “pop fund” at some point — told commissioners he did what he was told to do, “but, you know, I see where that it was wrong and I accept whatever consequences are due my way.” He was fired. He made up to $11.88 per hour.

Neff was fired because she was told not to tell anyone about the investigation, but told Plaugher about it, according to commissioners.

“I applaud her for bringing these allegations to light,” Day said in the meeting before terminating Neff. “I want to make sure on the record that this was nothing against the complaint. This is against the employee’s actions after the investigation started.”

Neff worked part time for $11.37 per hour.

Also account clerk Kim McGuire was suspended for three days. Investigative records say she knew of the “pop fund” but denied directing public money into it and no evidence was found to the contrary.

The Preble County landfill has an annual budget of roughly $2.9 million. Ten people work there, as well as Plaugher and one other worker in the solid waste department.