Former Jefferson County Sheriff Blair Olsen, who was convicted of misusing public funds, has been sentenced to 30 days in jail, $2,500 in fines and three years probation. He was convicted by a jury in May of three felony counts of misusing public funds; his conviction disqualifies him from holding public office.

Olsen was investigated by the Idaho Attorney General’s special prosecution unit, and was indicted by a Jefferson County grand jury in January. He was charged with providing his wife with a county-paid cell phone from 2010 to 2012, misusing more than $1,000 in public funds.

“Public corruption cases are serious for the simple fact that the offender holds a position of public trust and authority, and then takes advantage of that position,” said Attorney General Lawrence Wasden. “This remains true if the crime results in the loss of even the smallest amount of public funds.”

He added, “But the real loss in these cases is to the erosion of trust and faith citizens have in their government. Tackling public corruption is essential to restoring that trust and faith citizens must have in their government and those elected to lead it.”

Olsen, whose sentence was handed down today, also was ordered to pay $1,023 in restitution.