State police are investigating an alleged embezzlement of public funds by an employee of Howard Township.

Det. Fabian Suarez, of the Michigan State Police Niles Post, said Monday that he would not release the name of the individual who is under investigation at this point of the investigation.

However, a state police press release said the person was with the Howard Township office for the past 12 years and has since been dismissed from employment.

No arrest has been made and no charges have been filed as of Monday afternoon.

Suarez said police are still trying to determine how much money was allegedly embezzled.

“That we don’t know… we still have to get the tally figured,” he said. “It looks like it has only been going on for the last couple months.”

Suarez said two township employees discovered discrepancies in township financial records and turned the investigation over to state police Aug. 12.

Treasurer Linda Rudlaff and deputy clerk Terese Ernsberger are the people who uncovered the alleged embezzlement, Suarez said.

“They kept coming up short on some money and once they started really looking into what payments were being taken in and what was on the actual books, they quickly discovered there were some discrepancies, shortages,” Suarez said.

When contacted by phone Monday, Rudlaff said she was unable to discuss the matter until she and other township officials talk with the township lawyer Tuesday about what they can and can not say.

“We may know more about what we can talk about then,” she said.

According to the press release, a preliminary investigation indicates there are questions pertaining to missing rental payments, fraudulent health insurance payments received and, possibly, some tax cash payments made by township residents.

The press release went on to say that the Howard Township office is cooperating fully and providing information and records to the state police who will submit their findings to the Cass County Prosecutors Office for review and possible authorization of criminal charges.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Michigan State Police Niles Post at (269) 683-4411. People can also submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at (574) 288-7867.