Former employee facing charges to ask if she can leave state
Friday, August 31, 2007 9:26 AM CDT
BLOOMINGTON -- A former city water department employee will ask a judge next month for permission to return to Texas while a theft case against her in McLean County moves forward.
Lawanda Giles, 40, faces charges of theft by deception and utilization of an account number with intent to defraud. The allegations involve unauthorized cash advances of more than $3,000 and bills for a hotel and car rental on a city-issued credit card, according to prosecutors.
Giles was employed by the city between July and October 2004. The charges were found after she left the city payroll. City officials said they initially considered a civil action to collect the funds but asked police to investigate after it was learned that the amount of money involved could be a felony offense.
A motion will be filed before a Sept. 20 hearing asking that bond conditions be changed to allow Giles to return to her home in Texas, defense attorney Kelly Harms told Judge Robert Frietag. Giles posted $750 bond last month to be released on the charges. If convicted, Giles could be sentenced to two to five years and fined up to $25,000.
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