Associated Press - November 11, 2009 7:54 PM ET

GALESBURG, Ill. (AP) - The Knox County recorder has been arrested and accused of stealing funds from the Knox County Democratic Party.

Galesburg police say Paula Monzo was arrested Wednesday on a preliminary charge of theft over $3,000.

Democratic Party chairman Norm Winick says he told police he was contacted by a bank about activity in a business checking account. Winick says he later found about $3,500 of unauthorized activity on the account, including checks "to cash" made by Monzo. He says he also discovered she obtained an ATM card without anyone's knowledge.

Police reports say Monzo, who was the party's treasurer, admitted taking money and getting the ATM card.

According to police reports, Monzo told investigators she was struggling to pay bills and had a cocaine habit. She is being held in the Knox County Jail pending a court appearance.

Information from: WGIL-AM

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