Helena-West Helena, Arkansas – A clerk who worked for the Phillips County Judge’s Office is facing charges after an investigation found more than $16,000 in what officials described as “unallowable purchases” made with a county credit card.
According to the Arkansas State Police, the investigation began after Prosecuting Attorney Todd Murray requested a review in August 2025. The request involved allegations that a Phillips County credit card had been misused or that funds had been improperly taken.
The investigation later included an audit conducted by the Arkansas Legislative Audit. During the review, investigators determined that 44-year-old Kara Harvey had made a total of $16,642 in purchases that were considered unallowable.
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Among the transactions identified in the investigation were 84 gift cards and prepaid debit cards. The findings raised concerns about how the county credit card was being used and led to criminal charges against Harvey.
The investigation began more than a year before Harvey’s eventual surrender, giving authorities time to review the credit card activity and examine the transactions identified in the audit.
Harvey, who was employed as a clerk in the Phillips County Judge’s Office, surrendered to the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office on August 20, 2026. Authorities served her with a warrant after she turned herself in.
Following the arrest process, Harvey was released on her own recognizance. The information provided does not indicate that she was required to post a cash or property bond for her release.
The case stems from the alleged misuse of public resources and the transactions identified during the state audit. The investigation was requested by the county prosecutor and carried out with the involvement of Arkansas State Police and the Arkansas Legislative Audit.
The discovery of the gift cards and prepaid debit cards was a central part of the findings. Officials said the purchases, along with other transactions, totaled $16,642 and were classified as “unallowable purchases.”
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Harvey’s surrender marks the latest development in the case following the investigation and audit. The allegations remain tied to the transactions identified by investigators, while the criminal case now moves forward following the filing of charges.
The Phillips County Judge’s Office and local officials will face continued attention over the handling of county funds as the case proceeds. The investigation highlights the role of audits and law enforcement reviews in examining allegations involving public money.
At this stage, the available information does not provide additional details about the specific charges Harvey faces, the individual amounts of the 84 gift cards and prepaid debit cards, or what happened to the funds after the purchases were made.
The investigation began with a request from Murray in August 2025 and eventually resulted in the warrant served on Harvey more than a year later. She surrendered on August 20, 2026, and was released on her own recognizance while the case continues.
