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Genola's former town recorder is facing allegations that she stole thousands of dollars in city money.
Traci Wright, who resigned as town recorder in September, was charged on Wednesday with 27 counts related to the alleged theft. She faces 13 counts of misuse of public money, 13 counts of a forgery and one count of theft.
Misuse of public money is a second-degree felony in cases where the alleged theft was more than $5,000. Deputy Utah County attorney Mariane O'Bryant said that each pair of misuse of public money and forgery charges represent one check, meaning the charges against Wright indicate the suspected theft of at least $65,000.
According to a news release from Genola Mayor Eric Hazelet, officials noticed irregularities in the town's finances in August, and contacted the Utah County Attorney's Office, which began an investigation.
"The Utah County Attorney's Office has filed charges against the former Genola town clerk as a result of their investigation," Hazelet said in the news release.
Wright resigned in September after 12 years as town clerk, shortly after the county attorney's investigation began. She declined to comment on the charges against her or the reasons for her resignation.
O'Bryant, Hazelet and other city officials declined to delve into specifics about the charges against Wright.
Town Councilman Chris Greenwood said he was in "utter disbelief" about the charges, and said Wright is accused of "stealing money over many, many years."
"It is a sad time for the entire community and Genola because it doesn't reflect the type of people that live there," said Greenwood, who took office in January, several months after Wright resigned. "It's going to take some time for the town to deal with the magnitude of the harm that's happened, and no one person should be able to have this type of effect on a community, but it's happened. The people deserve to have this fully remedied and fully looked into."
Councilman Kendall Ewell, who also took office last month, said he and Greenwood learned of the investigation about two weeks ago.
"I think it's a terrible thing," Ewell said. "I almost feel like it's a black eye toward our community. To my knowledge, we've never had anything like this happen."
According to the Utah League of Cities and Towns, a recorder's financial duties include preparing checks for payment, and presenting monthly and annual financial reports.
Wright is the third city official in Utah County currently facing charges. In Eagle Mountain, former Mayor Brian Olsen has been bound over for trial on allegations that he falsified expense reports, and former City Councilwoman Linn Strouse is charged with failing to report a $10,000 loan from a land developer.
Wright will make her initial appearance in Provo's 4th District Court on Feb. 26.
• Jeremy Duda can be reached at 344-2561 or
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