By Sophie Pappas

Former chief financial officer of the Central Township Trustee’s Office, Alan S. Mizen, 59, of Zionsville, was charged by federal prosecutors early this month after it was determined that Mizen allegedly stole more than $340,000 from the agency.

Mizen served as CFO from November 2001 until January 2011.

According to U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett, if Mizen is found guilty he could face up to 10 years in federal prison and more than three years of paroled supervision.

“My sadness comes from what the money could have been used for,” Hogsett said, noting that the main responsibility of the Central Township Trustee’s Office is to provide relief to poor families.

According to prosecutors, Mizen allegedly set up a personal PNC checking account and deposited a check for $343,541.08 from his office. He allegedly wrote a false invoice at the Center Township office stating that the check was written to the “Treasurer of State.”

After funneling the funds into another personal account, he allegedly used $200,000 to help purchase his more than $500,000 home in Zionsville. He also purchased a 2009 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, put $14,000 in a college education fund for his child, and spent more than $8,000 on a diamond necklace and a diamond ring, which were purchased during a trip to the Cayman Islands.

Hogsett said that the truck and the jewelry have been seized by police.

During a state audit of the Central Township Trustee Office in 2010, it was found that Mizen reported working more than 12 hours per day for 107 days in 2010. He collected a salary of more than $173,000, which included overtime and paid time off funds. This goes against township rules, as Mizen held a salaried position and was only slotted to receive $92,295 per year.

For more on this developing story, read youarecurrent.com.