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Former Harris clerk pleads guilty in theftBy Danielle Strenke Former Harris city clerk Bonnie Swanson was in court Wednesday, May 8 for a third hearing in the felony theft of more than $57,000 from the city of Harris. Swanson accepted a plea agreement and pled guilty to two counts of theft of over $2,500 each. She was originally charged with four counts of theft of over $2,500 and one count of theft over $500. At the omnibus hearing, Judge James Clifford asked Swanson what she did with the funds, which she stole from the city over a seven year time period and why she did it. ěI donít know why I did it, I donít know where the money went. I donít have drug or alcohol problems, we donít live extravagantly,î Swanson said. Judge Clifford said Swanson used various methods of stealing the money, including duplicate paychecks, using checks that were recorded as void in the check ledger, and increasing reimbursement wages. He asked if she had any retirement benefits with the city. Swanson said those funds were already used to pay back the IRS. Her attorney also told the judge that Swanson has already paid back over $8,000 to the city. With the plea agreement, net restitution to the city of Harris is $39,808, with $11,700 ordered paid as a term of probation. The remaining balance of $28,107 would be reduced to judgment by a confession of judgment at the sentencing hearing. Judge Clifford ordered Swanson to disclose any and all financial information to the state, if required in the course of the investigation. A pre-sentence investigation is now underway, with a sentencing date set for July 10. ©ECM Post Review |