Ex-Dawson official charged with stealing village money

DAWSON, Ill. (AP) - The former water clerk and treasurer for a central Illinois village faces charges she stole money from public accounts.

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports that former Dawson village official Dennise "Shelly" Farley is charged with felony theft over $10,000. She turned herself in to the Sangamon County jail Thursday and is held on $100,000 bond. Village President Dee Smith says the missing funds were discovered in an audit. Smith says the village is insured and will recover what was stolen.

Village trustee Robin Ashton-Hale said she was surprised to learn about the theft and that it "has caused a lot of damage."

Farley was fired in December. Her defense attorney, Dan Fultz, said they are aware of the charges "and the matter will proceed in the court system like any other case."

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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com