SAN ANGELO (February 2, 2012)—Patty Smith, 55, a former business manager for the Lohn Independent School District, has been charged in the theft of more than $100,000 in school funds.

The Texas Department of Public Safety said Smith was arrested on a second-degree felony theft charge and released from the McCulloch County Jail after posting a $50,000 bond Tuesday.

Smith, who worked for the Lohn Independent School District for about 35 years, declined to comment when reached at her home Thursday.

The DPS says that during a recent annual audit, investigators discovered that several cashed checks were altered to appear to have been paid to vendors.

The San Angelo Standard Times reported that the Texas Rangers and the McCulloch County Sheriff's Department are investigating the case.