State files lawsuit against former Anderson schools employee over misused money

Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller has filed a civil lawsuit against a former Anderson Community Schools employee who the state says charged more than $11,000 in personal items to school credit cards.  Jo Ellen Cope is named as the defendant in a civil lawsuit filed yesterday in Madison County Circuit Court.  Cope is a former secretary in the ACS Special Education Department.  A State Board of Accounts audit found that while Cope had custody of a school credit card, more than $11,000 of alcohol, food, and personal items were charged to the card over a five year period.  The state audit says Cope is responsible for those charges.  The lawsuit seeks repayment for the school funds used.