Richland 1’s payroll supervisor has been charged with embezzling nearly $60,000 from the school district since 2001.

Gloria Cooper, 47, of 1316 W. Shady Grove Road in Irmo, used her position to alter computer records, according to the Columbia Police Department. She is accused of using a former employee’s Social Security number to have the money issued to her, according to the police incident report.

If convicted of the three felony charges of embezzlement, a computer crime offense, and financial identity theft, Cooper faces fines and up to 30 years in prison.

District officials are giving few details. Richland 1 attorney Susan Williams would not say whether the money came from payrolls.

No trial date has been set for Cooper, who turned herself in Nov. 3. She is no longer employed by the district, said a Richland 1 official.

She is currently free on $1,500 bail, but attempts to reach her Friday were unsuccessful.

Richland 1 officials discovered more than $5,000 missing in August.

A police investigation followed and it was determined that $58,281 had been taken between 2001 and last summer.

All funds are accounted for, Williams said. She would not elaborate as to whether the money had been returned or reimbursed.

Reach Smith at (803) 771-8378 or gnsmith@thestate.com.