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KANAB — The former Kane County treasurer accused of diverting taxpayer dollars to her personal accounts pleaded guilty Thursday to misusing public money.
Georgia Baca, 53, admitted in 6th District Court to one count of misusing public money, a third-degree felony, while three identical charges were dismissed, according to the Utah Attorney General's Office.
A possible prison sentence of up to five years was suspended. Instead, Baca was ordered to serve 30 days in jail, complete 36 months' probation and pay $35,613 in restitution to Kane County.
An audit released in March 2016 identified $90,791 in misappropriated or missing money linked to Baca, who had been serving as Kane County treasurer since her 2006 election. Baca hand-delivered a one-sentence resignation letter to the county office the day the audit became public.
Baca made approximately 45 transfers of Kane County money totaling about $33,600 from several county accounts between February 2013 and January 2016, including money collected from property tax and the county justice court, according to charging documents filed in October.
Related:
Missing Kane County money a 'wake-up' call for Utah elected officials
A new state audit reveals how a former Kane County treasurer allegedly stole thousands of dollars over three years without being detected.State leaders called the revelations about the rural Utah county's troubles a "wake-up call."
In a statement issued Thursday, Utah State Auditor John Dougall thanked Kane County officials for cooperating with the review and the Utah Attorney General's Office for prosecuting the case.
"This effort was the result of a conscientious individual noticing a suspicious transaction and raising that concern. The Office of the State Auditor is actively engaged in holding government officials accountable and rooting out waste, fraud and abuse within government," Dougall said.
Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes said he hopes the case's disposition brings "closure" to Kane County residents.
"As an elected official, the defendant held a fiduciary position with the citizens of her county. Sadly, she breached this trust. While it is never pleasant to bring charges against a fellow public servant, when it is necessary we will diligently do our jobs to assist the court in holding them accountable," Reyes said in the prepared statement.
