A former finance assistant for the City of Spencer has pleaded guilty to first degree theft and a judge has ordered her to repay the city tens of thousands of dollars in restitution.
Fifty-three-year-old Lavonne Bell was sentenced to a 10 year deferred sentence if she successfully completes probation of up to three years and completes financial counseling classes. Bell has been ordered to pay $106,098.13 in restitution to the city of Spencer.
Bell was also sentenced to a year in the Clay County Jail for credit card fraud, with all but 30 days suspended. That 30 day term is to begin October 5 and she will be allowed to leave and return from work.
Bell was fired in June of 2024 after city officials discovered discrepancies in landfill revenue, payroll entries, and credit card transactions. The city requested a special investigation by the State Auditor’s Office, which identified the extent of missing funds. City leaders say they have implemented changes that address the weaknesses in oversight that auditors identified.
(Reporting by Anthony Gonzales, KICD, Spencer)