DES MOINES, Iowa --
Investigators said Wednesday that a former city clerk has been charged with arson in a fire at the Lacona City Hall.
Anna Marie Hoffman, 52, was charged with first-degree arson and first-degree theft.
Hoffman is the former Lacona City Clerk. Investigators said she is accused of improperly disbursing city funds totaling $41,989.19.
Officials said the investigation discovered that a fire Aug. 4 in the building that houses the fire department, library and City Hall originated in the records area of the City Hall.
The state fire marshals office investigation determined that the fire was not accidental.
The investigation involved the state fire marshals Office, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Warren County Sheriffs Office, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives and the State of Iowa Auditors Office.
