A former finance director of the Westside Community Schools in Omaha has been charged with stealing more than $160,000 when he worked for the district.

In a four-count federal indictment, 49-year-old Jim Clark, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, is accused of taking the money between 2006 and 2010 and spending it on himself, relatives and friends.

His attorney, Steve Achelpohl, says Clark denies the allegation. They say the school district has destroyed some records that would help prove Clark is innocent. The district declined to comment.

Clark says he was fired in May 2010 when allegations about financial irregularities first surfaced.

Prosecutors say Clark cut extra checks to himself and misused a credit card he issued to himself through the district, using district money to pay the bills.