Ex-Athol Clerk Admits $418K Theft

Sally R. Hansen, 39, formerly of Athol, Idaho, pleaded guilty to 15 counts of wire fraud, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. The charge stemmed from Hansen’s years as the City Clerk of Athol from 2009 to 2014. According to court documents, during the time of her employment, Hansen used the wires and fraudulently took $417,879 from the City of Athol. She did this by writing fraudulent checks to herself and her husband and using the wires to transfer money between different city accounts. The maximum penalty for each count is up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release and $100 special assessment. As part of her guilty plea, Hansen agreed to make $417,879.00 in restitution to the City of Athol. The sentencing is set for May 5, 2015, before Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill/ Coeur d’Alene Press . More here .

Question: I’m still wondering how you can steal $418,000 from a small town like Athol — and nobody notice?