DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – A county employee is fired after thousands of dollars were taken from the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office.

2 NEWS Investigates confirmed an investigation just wrapped up involving now former prosecutor’s office support staff member, David Bruns.

The prosecutor’s office says the investigations showed Bruns stole approximately $75,000 from the department’s Delinquent Tax Assessment and Collection Unit.

They discovered the theft several months ago and got special prosecutors from Franklin County involved in the investigation.

We confirmed Bruns was fired when he was found to be responsible.

According to a searchable salary database from our partners at the Dayton Business Journal, Bruns was a data entry operator who made a little more than $36,000 a year.

The prosecutor’s office spokesperson tells us Bruns cooperated with the investigation. Out of the $75,000 taken, Bruns has repaid $40,000.

Prosecutor Heck said in a statement, “I am stunned and appalled that one of my employees violated his responsibility to me, this office and the community, and the trust that I put in him. I take his transgressions very seriously and he will be prosecuted for his actions. To avoid any appearance of conflict, special prosecutors were appointed to oversee the investigation and the prosecution of Mr. Bruns.”

We have confirmed through the prosecutor’s office that Mr. Bruns is married to Mr. Heck’s second cousin.

We’ll keep you posted on any new developments.