COLUMBIA (WACH / AP) - An arrest has been made following an investigation by the State Law Enforcement Division into an accounting discrepancy at the South Carolina Education Lottery that was discovered in early October.

A former accountant and fiscal analyst for the state lottery, who was terminated on October 10 of this year is accused of embezzling more than $200,000 over a period of two years, according to SCEL Executive Director Paula Harper Bethea.

Bethea says Anthony McNeil was arrested Tuesday.

SLED officials say 54-year-old McNeil was in charge of collecting payments from retailers for the State Education Lottery.

“All SCEL games, players and prizes were at all times protected," said Bethea. "Although the tightest internal controls were in place, McNeil was intent and found a way to circumvent the procedures.  Because of this incident even more stringent additional monitoring procedures are now in place.”

Bethea says the SCEL immediately began an internal investigation after identifying their was an issue.

"Within eight hours [of beginning the internal investigation] this matter was turned over to SLED for a full investigation," said Bethea. "We will prosecute to the full extent of the law, and we will seek restitution."

Bethea says South Carolina Education Lottery retailers, players and prizes are protected and that the integrity of the games were never affected.

Bethea did not give details about how much money was missing or how the discrepancy was discovered.

SLED says the charge of embezzlement against McNeil is a felony and carries penalties of a fine and up to 10 years in prison.

A call made to a telephone listing for McNeil wasn't immediately returned Tuesday.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)