Swaledale clerk charged with theft

The city clerk in Swaledale has been arrested by the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Department and charged with first-degree theft. 26-year-old Stacy Marie Highley is suspected of trying to use 13-thousand dollars of the city’s money. Last week Highley appeared in court on charges of first-degree theft after taking 13-thousand dollars from her former employer, First Citizens National Bank in Mason City. She was given a deferred judgment after she repaid the money when she showed up for court. But Swaledale Mayor Susan Lyles says the city’s banker got suspicious after reading this week in the paper about Highley’s case. She says Highley had 13-thousand-dollars from the city’s accounts put into a couple of money orders. Highley’s been employed as Swaledale City Clerk since January. Monday the City Council will address the issue at its regular meeting on Monday night. Highley was released from jail after posting bond.