MATTAWAMKEAG – The deputy town clerk suspended without pay after town workers reported about $500 missing from town cash accounts will not be arrested but will remain suspended, officials said Thursday.

Investigators found no reason to arrest Deputy Clerk Betty Twist after her suspension on April 14, District Attorney R. Christopher Almy said.

“There wasn’t enough evidence to prove a crime was committed, or even that a crime occurred,” Almy said Thursday.

When asked how long Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department investigators examined the information provided by town officials, Almy replied, “Long enough.”

Twist could not be reached for comment Thursday. Twist, who worked for the town for about 71/2 years, had a spotless record and was regarded as very knowledgeable, told town officials she was innocent of any wrongdoing.

Twist was interviewed by town officials and placed on suspension after about two weeks of investigation by the Board of Selectmen, former Town Administrator Joseph E. Clark and town office workers, board Chairman John Whitehouse has said.

The board and staff reviewed receipts, deposit slips and other records after a town employee discovered that portions of at least three residents’ tax payments were missing, Whitehouse said.

Town Clerk Lorna Pelkey then discovered discrepancies between records of daily transactions and weekly bank deposits. In all, 11 record alterations dating back to February that might indicate theft or mistakes in record-keeping have been found, Whitehouse said.

The chairman said Thursday that Twist was the only person who had access to the documents at the time they were altered.

Whitehouse said he expected Twist would remain indefinitely on suspension – in other words, fired – for the record-keeping discrepancies town officials uncovered.

Selectmen “will talk it over, but I don’t expect anything will change,” Whitehouse said. “I think we have tabled it indefinitely.

“The burden of proof for firing someone is far different than the proof needed to prove that a crime was committed,” said Whitehouse, meaning that less proof of misconduct is required in the firing of individuals or in civil court should they file lawsuits protesting terminations.

“The way that certain records were altered indicated that there was a human element in it, and she was available to make those alterations,” he added.

Selectmen don’t believe Twist will seek reinstatement. She had 14 days to apply for a hearing regarding her suspension after it occurred and did not do so, Whitehouse said. Nor has she since sought reinstatement.