From the Union Leader…
LACONIA – Belknap County’s administrator and finance director has waived an indictment charging her with stealing $40,601.99, according to New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly A. Ayotte.
Nancy Cook, 46, of Laconia, was indicted by a Belknap County Superior Court grand jury on one count of theft by unauthorized taking.
She is accused of writing checks made payable to cash on the county’s account, cashing them and then using the money for her own personal use. Cook also allegedly wrote a check on the county’s account to purchase a computer for her own personal use.
She is to enter a plea and be sentenced on Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. in Superior Court.
County commissioners placed Cook on unpaid administrative leave in March as the criminal investigation was taking place.
Cook faces a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
“New Hampshire’s taxpayers deserve to have every tax dollar spent only for its intended purpose. Those who hold the public’s trust and then violate that trust will be vigorously prosecuted by my office,” Ayotte said in a prepared statement.