Jail worker accused of taking money

WENATCHEE — A former jail employee is under investigation in the apparent loss of money from inmate accounts, her union and a youth baseball group, Chelan County officials say.

Investigators believe Kris Kraus, fired on Aug. 31 after nearly six years at the county jail, took as-yet-undetermined amounts of money from all three sources to gamble and pay debts, and she will likely face criminal charges, Sheriff Michael T. Harum said.

“She admitted to what she had been doing when confronted,” Detective Jeff Middleton told the Wenatchee World, adding that she has been cooperating with investigators.

Contacted at home Wednesday, Kraus said, “I have a problem that I’m trying to deal with and this is difficult for me and my family.” She would not comment further, saying Middleton had asked her to refer inquiries to him.