PADUCAH — The attorney for a former local school employee accused of theft and asking vendors to write fake invoices says his client was just following orders.

The McCracken County Commonwealth Attorney's Office says former McCracken County School Bus Garage Foreman Tommy Clement engaged in what amounted to public corruption. Prosecutors say Clement stole money from the system, scrapped metal and stole proceeds, as well as bought parts, engines and tires and then put them on his own car.

The Commonwealth Attorney's Raymond McGee says Clement and another employee stole around $130,000 from July of 2009 until late December of 2010.

Clement's co-worker, Chris Stamper, is a co-defendant in the case. He pleaded guilty in August to theft by unlawful taking of more than $500, theft by deception of more than $500 and first degree official misconduct. Stamper agreed to testify against Clement for a reduced sentenced.

On Wednesday, Raymond McGee called a witness from a local NAPA Auto Parts store, who testified Clement asked her to falsify an invoice. However, an employee at Snap On Tool testified Clement did not ask him to falsify an invoice.

McGee painted a picture of Tommy Clement running an operation that lined his own pocket while stealing from the school system.

Clement's attorney, Tod Megibow, painted a much different picture. Megibow claims Clement was only doing what he was told, following orders, and did so in fear of losing his job or receiving retribution of some kind.

For more on this case and developments from Wednesday's proceedings, watch the video. If you are viewing this story on our mobile app, head to the videos section.