$42,000 Theft Uncovered At Stockton Courthouse

STOCKTON, Calif. (CBS13) -- Authorities have launched a criminal investigation after $42,000 was allegedly stolen from criminal and traffic case fees and fines.

Supervisors confronted an employee in the San Joaquin Superior Court's accounting department on Friday after discovering a "pattern of theft" that led to late deposits for several days in April and May.

The employee resigned Monday.

Officials said all of the payments were accounted for and have now been properly deposited.

In a statement, court executive officer Rosa Junqueiro called the matter "an unfortunate incident" but praised the department's staff for properly accounting for public funds and discovering the discrepancy.