Former treasurer avoids jail time

FRANKFORT, Ind (WLFI) - A former treasurer for the Clinton Central School Corporation will avoid going to prison for taking more than $10,000 from the school district.

Mary Clark, 42, of Michigantown pleaded guilty to 10 counts of theft. Clinton Circuit Court Judge Linley Pearson sentenced Clark to six years on probation and pay restitution.

Deputy Prosecutor John Meyers said Clark must pay $10,637.02 to the Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland, the bonding company for the Clinton Central School Corporation.

"She has already been making $200 a month payments," said Meyers.

Meyers said Clark was also ordered to do 5 hours of community service every Saturday for 2 years.

"The probation department will decide that," said Meyers. He said options include work with the street department and Humane Society. Meyers said the sentence was consistent with the school corporations recommendation.

An investigation by the Indiana State Police and State Board of Accounts led to Clark's arrest in August 2008.

Prosecutor Anthony Sommer said Clark made unauthorized checks to herself for work he did not do from 2005 to 2007. He said Clark issued checks to her son, Randall Clark, for work he didn't do and put the money in her own account.

Meyers said during Monday's sentencing hearing, Clark apologized for her actions.