CICERO, N.Y. -- A former Cicero town clerk has been accused of pocketing almost $30,000.

Mary Cole, 66, of Bridgeport, was arrested Monday for stealing court funds over a six month period.

Authorities say Cole took $27,000 from traffic fines, put it towards personal use and made false entries for bail and fines to cover the theft.

In 2010, financial discrepancies showed up in an internal court audit, prompting the District Attorney's Office to launch an investigation. It was at that time that Cole left her position.

Cole has been charged with grand larceny, defrauding the government and falsifying business records, all felonies. If found guilty, she could face up to seven years in prison.