A judge reduced the charges against a former Jordan School District business administrator and imposed a 10-day jail sentence for the misuse of public funds.
Third District Judge Kenneth Rigtrup's decision Monday came despite Deputy Salt Lake County Attorney Kent Morgan's argument that George Copeland could have pleaded guilty to lesser charges throughout his trial.Rigtrup lessened two third-degree felony counts as a "sign of compassion," acknowledging felonies would mar Copeland's chance of future employment.
Rigtrup did order Copeland to serve time in the Salt Lake County Jail, referring to an escalation of criticism about people who "feed at the public trough.
"You knew what was wrong. The court knew what was wrong," Rigtrup said. "Sometimes you get in a position of public trust and you have to swim against the stream."
He ordered Copeland to pay a $500 fine on both class A misdemeanors and pay $125 per victim in restitution.
A jury last month convicted Copeland, a certified public accountant, after he accepted travel-expense money for trips that had already been paid for.
Copeland argued the double payments for the trips were allowed under school policy. Rigtrup acknowledged the policy was "wishy-washy" but told the former business administrator "it's important you do the right thing if you're in a position of public trust."
Copeland, who has reimbursed the district about $11,000, traveled to New York annually on school-district business.