Eagle Mountain City Councilwoman Linn Strouse made it through Tuesday's primary election, but now she may have a tougher fight on her hands.

The Utah County Attorney's Office on Friday charged Strouse with one count of accepting a gift, compensation or loan, which is a second-degree felony. Deputy county attorney Chad Grunander said the charge stems from a loan Strouse allegedly received in July 2005.

State law requires elected officials to report all gifts or loans of more than $1,000 to the agency they work for, the agency providing the gift or loan, and the state Attorney General's Office. The county attorney's office issued Strouse a summons for the charge on Friday.

"Those three entities should receive notice of that and we are alleging that she did not give proper notice," Grunander said.

Grunander would not say who provided the alleged loan or how much money was involved, saying only that it was more than $1,000.

A statement issued Friday by Eagle Mountain developer and founder John Walden indicated he loaned $10,000 to Strouse.

"Some time after Linn Strouse's late husband, Dave, was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Linn and Dave discussed with me their concerns about losing their home, and asked for my help," the statement reads.

The couple had been longtime friends of Walden's, according to the statement, and Walden was glad to "assist them in their hour of need."

The statement continues, "They requested, and I gave them a $10,000 loan to finish the basement of their home.

"I expected that Linn would comply with the reporting that Utah law requires of public officials who receive gifts. Linn and Dave also assured me that I would be repaid out of Dave's death benefit.

"When the County Attorney office requested information from me, I did cooperate. It saddens me that Linn has now been criminally charged."

Grunander said the investigation began in November 2006 after the Utah County Attorney's Office received a written complaint from a person whom Grunander described only as "a citizen of Eagle Mountain."

"We received the complaint, checked into it and when it was determined that it had merit, an investigation was initiated and charges were filed this morning," Grunander said.

Strouse did not return messages seeking comment.

City spokeswoman Linda Peterson said she could not comment on any details of the investigation, such as whether Strouse reported any loans to the city in July 2005. Mayor Don Richardson said the city had been aware of the investigation against Strouse before the charge was filed.

"We were notified by the County Attorney's Office of the charges today. Mayor Richardson has said that he intends to meet with Councilmember Strouse to discuss her future involvement with the city," Peterson said.

Richardson said he spoke with Strouse on Friday, but did not say what they discussed.

The date for Strouse's initial appearance in 4th District Court will likely be set next week, Grunander said. As a second-degree felony, Strouse's charge carries a maximum penalty of one to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Strouse is nearing the end of her second term on the Eagle Mountain City Council. She was elected to serve a two-year term in 2001 and was re-elected to a full term in 2003. She also served as mayor pro tem for about three weeks in October and November 2006 after Mayor Brian Olsen resigned. Strouse was one of six candidates chosen in Tuesday's primary to vie for three City Council seats that are up for election in November.

During her short stint as mayor, Strouse ran into controversy when she put Chief of Staff Mike Wren on administrative leave, a move that was unpopular with many city employees.

Since being incorporated as a city in 1996, Eagle Mountain has had its share of controversy and legal problems involving elected officials. City Councilwoman Heather Jackson was recently cleared of allegations that she violated city and state conflict of interest laws, and Councilman David Blackburn was cleared of similar allegations in June.

Olsen, whose resignation led to Strouse's brief term as mayor, is currently facing trial on charges of misusing public money. Former Mayor Kelvin Bailey resigned in 2005, more than a year after pleading no contest to providing false information to police in a faked kidnapping.

Jeremy Duda can be reached at 344-2561 or jduda@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A1.