The former Wilkinson County Tax Commissioner admitted to stealing more than $35,000 from the county on Tuesday. That's according to Chief Assistant District Attorney Stephen Bradley.

Bradley said Kevin Rauscher pleaded guilty to three counts of theft by taking and one count of violation of oath of office.

Rauscher was arrested in January after a GBI investigation that began last summer.

He was sentenced to 10 years probation, Bradley said. He must also serve 60 to 90 days of that in a state detention center.

He also said Rauscher was order to pay restitution, resign from his office and be evaluated for a substance abuse problem.

Rauscher took more than $500 in cash and more than $35,000 in checks. Bradley said the GBI called that a lagging/replacing scheme where he would take the money and try to replace it later.

Bradley said the probation office will determine when Rauscher must turn himself in to serve his detention sentence.