A woman is sentenced to up to ten years in jail on charges of stealing from the Lake Mills Community School District.

Christine Mathahs of Lake Mills pleaded guilty last month to charges of first-degree theft and felonious misconduct.

She submitted her resignation as business manager to the school district last year after the state auditor’s office found inappropriate spending by Matahas totaling $262-thousand.

The audit cited misspending including checks she issued between 2005 and 2010 to pay off at least 12 credit cards.

District Judge Colleen Weiland sentenced Mathahs Tuesday to 10 years in prison on the theft charge and five years on the misconduct charge, with the sentences running concurrently.

As part of a plea agreement, Mathahs will pay the school district over $37-thousand in restitution. The school’s insurance will cover $200-thousand of the loss.

By Bob Fisher, KRIB, Mason City