Wartburg, Morgan County (AP) -- A Morgan County clerk under investigation for thefts from his office has resigned.

Morgan County Clerk Tim Steelman resigned Friday, more than a month after prosecutors issued an ultimatum over the missing money.

District Attorney Russell Johnson says Steelman plans to plead guilty within the next few weeks to a felony charge of theft of more than $10,000.

Johnson said he told Steelman that he must either plead guilty and resign, or face an ouster lawsuit and criminal prosecution. He said Steelman had to make a decision before Monday.

State auditors found deposit slips in the office that didn't correspond to bank deposit slips. An audit revealed more than $14,000 was missing.

Steelman, who was re-elected to a fourth term in August, paid the money and said he didn't know what happened to it.

Johnson said no hearing has been set for the plea.

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