DICKINSON, N.D. - A former city of Dickinson employee accepted a plea bargain Tuesday and now faces three years probation after stealing nearly $7,000 in city revenue.
Chandra Christensen of Killdeer worked full-time in the utility billing department, or front desk, of City Hall, and stole about $2,545 in cash and about $4,240 in checks.
Missing funds were discovered after a Baler Building employee noticed deposit discrepancies, City Administrator Shawn Kessel said in January.
"It took a few months before that amount gets accumulated, so there was more than one indiscretion," Kessel said.
Christensen, who had no previous criminal record, was terminated Jan. 26 and was later charged with a Class C felony, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.
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At the Stark County Courthouse, Christensen accepted a plea bargain consisting of a three-year deferred imposition with supervised probation and restitution.
While Christensen has made restitution on about $4,837, questions surround how much she actually owes, said Kelly Armstrong, Christensen's attorney.
Armstrong requested 30 days to file an affidavit of restitution in case the amount needs to be disputed.
"Even before my involvement in this case, she had given a full confession to law enforcement and cooperated immediately, showing exceptional remorse and took full responsibility for it," Armstrong said. "She was in a serious financial situation ... she owned her mistake as soon as it was found."
Stark County State's Attorney Tom Henning said individuals generally have the length of their deferred imposition to make full restitution, which in Christensen's case would be three years.
It is unclear what additional conditions, if any, were placed on her probation, as a criminal judgment was not filed by press time.
"The court is persuaded that this is likely a one-time criminal violation as the result of perhaps extreme financial pressures," said Judge H. Patrick Weir.
Christensen and Armstrong declined comment after the hearing.
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The Dickinson (N.D.) Press and the Herald are Forum Communications Co. newspapers.
