SEATTLE (AP) — A former Bothell Police Department evidence technician has been charged with stealing thousands of dollars from a police evidence room.

The Seattle Times reports William Lee Kenney was charged with first-degree theft Wednesday.

Court documents say Bothell police became aware of the missing money during a scheduled audit of the evidence room in January 2015. Kenney was fired a month later.

More than $50,000 was initially reported missing by state troopers, followed by another $32,000 by the state Auditor's Office.

Kenney was a civilian employed by the police department and in 2000 was named Employee of the Year.

Records show he admitted to stealing from the evidence room on several occasions.

Kenney told The Seattle Times he didn't want to comment until he had retained an attorney.

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