VIDALIA, La. — Two former Town of Ferriday clerks pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Seventh Judicial District Court to charges of theft and malfeasance in office in connection with the alleged theft of almost $118,000 in town funds.

Former water clerk Kathy R. Green, 36, of 127 Warren St. in Ferriday, and ex-Town Clerk Ida W. Tolliver, 54, of 27575 Highway 15 in Ferriday, were accompanied by their attorneys — Phillip Dugas of Baton Rouge and Jack Owens of Harrisonburg, respectively — and several supporters. Both Green and Tolliver appeared subdued as they stood before Judge Leo Boothe in court Wednesday morning.

Neither Green and Tolliver nor their attorneys would comment following the arraignment, which lasted only a few minutes.

A report released March 13 by State Auditor Dan Kyle said the pair admitted taking $90,947 in cash the town received from July 1998 through February 2000 for utility services and $23,980 received for 1998 property taxes for their use instead of depositing it in the town’s bank accounts. The report also said Green and Tolliver credited their utility accounts and the account of Green’s sister, Lucille Wells, $2,895 even though the town did not receive the payments. In Louisiana, theft carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and/or $3,000; the highest penalty for malfeasance is five years and/or $5,000.

Boothe set April 28 as the deadline for motions to be filed in the case. Those motions must be answered by May 5 and are set to be tried May 10.