MANTI — The former city clerk of Ephraim pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of misuse of public monies for depositing payments made to the city and to the Sanpete County landfill into her personal bank account.
Wendy Hansen, 45, who was city clerk for more than a decade and who also served as treasurer of the Sanpete County Cooperative Landfill from the early 1990s until mid-2003, pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony counts in 6th District Court in Manti.
Sanpete County Attorney Ross Blackham said one count was for depositing a check to the city for about $2,300 into her personal account at the Bank of Ephraim on July 30, 2003. He said the other count was for depositing a $3,500 check to the landfill into her personal account on Sept. 8, 2003.
"This needs to be resolved," Hansen told Judge David L. Mower when asked if she was pleading guilty willingly.
Hansen was originally charged with 42 counts of communication fraud and two counts of misuse of public monies. The county attorney said all of the counts stemmed from Hansen depositing governmental payments into her personal account.
Mower set sentencing for Jan. 12. The maximum penalty is zero to five years in prison on each count.
However, under a plea agreement filed Wednesday, if Hansen pays $30,000 in restitution immediately, the prosecution will not recommend jail time. Besides paying the $30,000 prior to sentencing, the plea agreement calls for Hansen to pay any additional restitution that is imposed at sentencing.
Under the agreement, as long as she meets all restitution requirements, the felonies could be reduced to misdemeanors after she completes probation.
E-mail: sd@manti.com