Former County of Lethbridge employee charged following fraud investigation

A 40-year-old Lethbridge woman is accused of defrauding her employer out of almost $50,000 and is now facing charges.

Lethbridge police were contacted after county officials were alerted to an alleged theft and fraud by a female employee in May of this year.

An investigation determined that about $49,000 had been taken between 2016 and 2019 and that some of the funds were from tax payments.

Brandi Leanne Doucette, 40, of Lethbridge, is now charged with:

• Fraud over $5,000
• Possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000
• Altering documents

Doucette was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on August 27.

Officials say she is no longer employed by the county.