CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The newly created office of county inspector general said it is fulfilling its duty to root out fraud, abuse and waste in Cuyahoga County government.

Mark Lime, the chief of the criminal division of the Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts, was fired Thursday after being accused of stealing money from the office.

Lime could not be reached for comment Thursday evening.

"This is the first time that Inspector General Nailah Byrd has completed a report that lead to a referral to the County Prosecutors office," according to John Kohlstrand, spokesperson for County Executive Ed FitzGerald.

"This is how the system is supposed to work," Kohlstrand added. "The inspector general is supposed to look into fraud and wrongdoing."

Byrd could not be reached for comment.

Lime, of Parma, has been with the clerks office since December 1977. He became director of the criminal division in 2003.

He was placed on paid administrative leave Aug. 23 while the inspector general's office and the county's human resources department investigated claims that Lime was stealing cash bond forfeiture payments.

The amount could not be obtained Thursday evening.

Lime is also being investigated by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office, but its investigation is unrelated to the one conducted by the inspector general. The reason for the investigation is unknown at this time.

According to his personnel file, Lime appeared to be a good employee, receiving job performance ratings anywhere between above-average to excellent performance.