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Sean D. Reyes
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Former Kane County Treasurer Pleads Guilty to Misuse of Public Money

KANE COUNTY, Utah May 4, 2017 – The Office of the Utah Attorney General (OAG) announced the guilty plea of Georgia Baca today for charges related to the misuse of public money in her capacity as treasurer in Kane County, Utah. Baca resigned as Kane County Treasurer in March of 2016 after the Utah State Auditor’s Office released a report alleging that Baca had been stealing money for personal use for three years.

“I hope this brings some measure of closure to Kane County residents,” said Attorney General Sean Reyes. “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.

“My thanks and congratulations to the entire investigation and prosecution team, including Special Prosecutions Director Janise Macanas, Paralegal Rosie McDonough, Special Agent Christopher Walden, and Special Agent Aaron Jones.  We are also grateful to Kane County, and Utah State Auditor John Dougall and his office for their dedicated work throughout this process.”

“We appreciate the hard work of the Office of the Attorney General in prosecuting this important case,” said Utah State Auditor John Dougall. “Kane County Commission Chairman Clayson and other Kane County officials were very cooperative during our audit. 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.”

“This has been a difficult case, and I am grateful to see justice served for the people of our county,” said Representative Mike Noel. “I am grateful to both the prosecutors of the Utah Attorney General’s Office and the Utah State Auditor, as well as to our own Kane County Attorney, Rob Van Dyke, for their professional handling of this case.”

Baca pleaded guilty to one count of Third Degree Felony Misuse of Public Money before the Honorable Judge Marvin D. Bagley in the Sixth Judicial District Court in Kanab, Utah.  The Court sentenced Baca to serve 30 days in jail.  Baca’s Utah State Prison sentence of between zero and five years was suspended, and she was placed on a 36-month probation. Baca was also ordered to pay $35,613 in restitution to Kane County.

 

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