SPRINGFIELD (AP) -- Missouri State University has fired its longtime bookstore manager after an internal audit revealed more than $400,000 unaccounted for over the past three years.

KOLR-TV reports that interim university president Clifton Smart announced results of the audit and the fallout Monday. The investigation has been turned over to Springfield police.

In a news release, Smart says it's not clear how long the alleged thefts had been going on. He says the audit took place a few weeks ago, and investigators later found $81,000 in the manager's desk while the manager was on vacation.

The manager worked at the bookstore for 21 years, the last 12 in the top job.

Missouri State says the bookstore has total annual revenues of slightly more than $15 million.

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