Pullman woman pleads not guilty to first-degree theft

A Pullman woman charged with stealing $13,910 from the Whitcom 911 Employee Guild pleaded not guilty in an arraignment on Friday. From June 2011 through August 2012, Guild treasurer Emily M. Kirk, 30, allegedly signed checks to herself from the Guild’s funds, according to a press release from the Attorney General’s Office. Kirk allegedly forged Guild President William Cory Brincken’s signature. She also allegedly deposited Guild due checks into her own account and withdrew cash from other Guild accounts. Brincken noticed the transactions last August. Only Kirk and Brincken are allowed to handle Guild funds. Kirk faces charges of first-degree theft, money laundering and forgery. Kirk’s trial is set for Sept. 16 at 9 a.m. in Whitman County Superior Court in Colfax.