A Penn State employee who admitted to stealing $47,100 from the university in the form of tuition checks, travelers' checks and cash is facing more than 50 counts of felony charges.

Mandi Shirey, 27, who worked in 301 Boucke Building's Intensive English Program office, admitted to stealing checks, signing them over to herself and depositing the money into her personal account. She also admitted to stealing cash and tampering with receipts, according to court documents.

The incidents occurred between June 1, 2005 and Dec. 7, 2005, according to court documents.

In November, Penn State began investigating missing office funds, which had been received from international students for tuition. Financial reports submitted by Shirey did not match reports generated by other officials, according to court documents.

Shirey, who had been on medical leave since Nov. 2., was contacted by Penn State regarding the missing funds in mid-November.

After Shirey was questioned over the phone, some of the missing checks showed up in her desk, according to court documents. Other employees said the envelope containing the checks was not there when they initially searched the desk.

In December, the State College Police Department obtained a warrant and searched Shirey's financial records.

When questioned by police on Dec.

22, Shirey waived her Miranda rights and admitted she stole checks and money, according to court documents. She was arraigned Jan. 9 by District Justice Jonathan D. Grine.

University Spokesman Tysen Kendig said stolen checks are extremely rare in offices at Penn State because of the University's strict budgetary checks and balances.

"They are very, very closely monitored," Kendig said. "Any missing funds would be very aggressively investigated. This is a perfect example of the system working."

Shirey is charged with one count each of theft by unlawful taking or disposition, theft by deception, theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received and receiving stolen property -- all felony charges.

Shirey is also charged with 47 counts of forgery, a felony charge and one count of misapplication of entrusted property, which is a misdemeanor charge.