The Town of Whitestown has issued the following response to charges against former Town Court Clerk Johnetta Roberts:

The Town does not tolerate a breach of the public trust within our community and condemns the actions of the former Town Court Clerk. The Town will continue to cooperate with state and local officials in holding the former Court Clerk responsible.

The Town initially learned in 2019 of failures by the former Town Court Clerk to timely report and transfer payments received for traffic violations pending before another court. Though the Town was not aware of unaccounted for funds at that time, the Town recognized a potential for misappropriation by the former Court Clerk and immediately began an internal investigation as a precaution. While the Town was investigating, the former Court Clerk resigned.

Immediately upon finding evidence of apparent misappropriation of funds, the Town notified the State Board of Accounts and Indiana State Police, and fully cooperated with investigators from both agencies.

In addition, in coordination with the Whitestown Police Department (WPD) and Boone County Prosecutor’s Office, the Town Court immediately ceased accepting new cases, and any new cases arising from WPD tickets have been filed in Boone Superior Court. The Town Court also undertook a comprehensive review of its procedures, processes, functionality, and technology. Ultimately, the Town and Town Court determined that it was in the public interest to dissolve the Town Court. The Town therefore adopted Ordinance 2020-07 early this year, providing for the abolition of the Town Court, and has worked to close Court matters. New tickets will continue to be prosecuted through the Boone County Superior Court.