Doneia A. Santiago, far left, appears in Lewis County Superior Court this morning with her lawyer.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Somehow what was initially described as theft and misappropriation by a Mossyrock public official involving thousands of dollars has turned into an identity theft case, which she admits.
The town’s former clerk-treasurer Doneia A. Santiago pleaded guilty to nine counts of first-degree identity theft today. Prosecutors dropped nine counts of second-degree theft.
Santiago, who has been free on a signature bond since shortly after her arrest in June, went before a judge this morning in Lewis County Superior Court.
Her sentencing will take place at the end of this month.
Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Melissa Bohm and defense attorney Don Blair don’t agree upon the amount of time they will recommend she be locked up.
Judge Nelson Hunt accepted her pleas, reading aloud her words regarding what she did.
On nine separate dates during 2014 and into 2015, Santiago used financial information for the city of Mossyrock to transfer funds into her mortgage account, according to the paperwork.
The alleged misconduct came to light when Santiago approached Mayor Tom Meade to tell him her husband inadvertently used the city credit card to make an approximately $3,600 payment to Central Mortgage, according to court documents.
The initial and supplemental affidavits made mention of ATM withdrawals the mayor said were not authorized, use of Mossyrock’s bank card to purchase fuel, an extra payroll check and large monthly withdrawals from the municipality’s accounts.
The attorneys didn’t discuss and were not asked in open court the reason the theft charges were dismissed.
Presumably more details will be discussed at her Sept. 28 court hearing.
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For background, read “Prosecutors: Thousands of dollars more missing from Mossyrock accounts” from Tuesday July 19, 2016, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Never trust a Tax Feeding city official, its just like Subway Jarred Foggel working with kids, someone’s bound to get diddled.
Over sight over sight over sight. There has to be more than one person who has authorization to use credit cards and transfer money especially when it involves public funds. Come on people.