MERRILLVILLE | As a state audit and criminal probe of her office continue, Merrillville's clerk-treasurer said more than $290,000 has gone missing from town coffers.

Bruce Hartman, of the Indiana State Board of Accounts, said he can't discuss any of the circumstances of the state audit until it's complete, but Clerk-Treasurer Rose Ann Antich-Carr revealed the figure this week, declining to name the long-time town employee who she believes is responsible.

Hartman said the official audit may be ready as early as next week.

Antich-Carr said the Indiana State Police also are investigating the situation but haven't filed any charges.

Antich-Carr said an initial audit by the Indiana State Board of Accounts found $41,000 went missing in 2006. She said anytime state auditors find a substantial amount missing, they check previous years.

She said it now appears more than $290,000 has gone missing since 2001.

Former Clerk-Treasurer John Petalas said the employee in question has worked with every previous town clerk-treasurer and was respected by co-workers and other town officials.

"This was the last thing any of us would have expected," Petalas said.

Town Councilman Richard Hardaway said not much can be said about the missing money because the audit is not complete, and officials don't have an exact number.

Town Councilman Dave Uzelac also said the current numbers are still allegations, but if they are true, "It will leave a tarnish on the town."

The audit has prompted a group of "concerned citizens of Merrillville" to gather today at 9:30 a.m. to discuss what they are saying is "potential administrative negligence" in Merrillville.

A statement faxed Wednesday from the office of Raymond Dix Jr., a candidate for the town council's Third Ward seat in the November election, indicates the group intends to discuss the audit as well as other town issues at the Towne Center Retirement Community, 7250 Arthur Blvd.