PHOENIX -- The city of Phoenix has fired two parks employees on charges they misused city funds.

A four-month investigation revealed Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department employees Patricia Lenzner and her supervisor, Andrea Fivecoat, were buying thousands of dollars in gift cards and personally using some of them.

The city opened the investigation when CBS 5 news brought the allegations to them.

According to Lenzner's separation notice, the city found evidence that she used city funds intended for recreation programs for her personal gain. The investigation revealed that Lenzner had bought thousands of dollars in gift cards and Fivecoat signed off on the purchases.

The cards were supposed to go to people in parks programs, but the city found no records of how the cards were distributed or who used them. Evidence showed Lenzner used some of the cards herself.

"We have to look at them and say, ’Is there more tracking we can do? Is there more supervision we can be doing? Is there more oversight that's needed?’” said David Urbinato of the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department.

CBS 5 News said the lack of city oversight may have allowed the pair to abuse the system. Records show at least two years of excessive gift card purchases by the women went completely unnoticed until August, when CBS 5 News brought the unusual pattern to the attention of the former parks director who started the investigation.

"I don't take it lightly whatsoever," said Sarah Hensley.

Despite the findings, Lenzner and Fivecoat said they deny all the allegations.

Lenzner had been a parks employee for nearly 16 years and Fivecoat has been employed there for about 11 years. Both women are appealing their terminations.