Former Wiscasset town clerk Sandra Johnson, 46, changed her plea from not guilty to nolo contendre in a case involving the theft of about $90,000 in town funds.
Her sentencing has been scheduled for Dec. 10.
The most Johnson could be sentenced is six years in prison. All could be suspended except for 15 weeks. Restitution of $91,000 could be possible, court officials said.
The plea of nolo contendre means she acknowledges prosecutors have evidence that, if presented in court, could result in her conviction. It is not a way means a lightening of the possible sentence.
The plea means her jury trial will be cancelled.
A complete forensic audit calculated a total of $90,906 is missing from town funds.
Town Manager Arthur Faucher said the town’s Maine Municipal Association bond covers the missing funds, but the costs resulting from the investigation are not. For those costs, the town has filed for restitution.
Besides the employee payroll cost for overtime and $803 in administrative leave pay for Johnson, additional costs include $993 to change the locks, $11,700 for RHR Smith forensic audit, $1018 for the TRIO computer program inspection, $2410 for project staffing, $1359 in legal service plus telephone service.
Before a grand jury indictment in March, a partial report for fiscal years 2005 to 2008, showing $56,450 was missing. Since Johnson was indicted on theft charges, auditors revealed the total of missing funds during fiscal years 2004-2009, which covers most of the period Johnson was employed at the town clerk.
She was placed on administrative leave Oct. 2. She was subsequently arrested and dismissed as town clerk.
Auditors said they “looked” at fiscal year 2003-2004 but decided it would take a considerable amount of time and resources to complete an investigation. They recommend consideration of the cost benefit before reconstructing any years before fiscal year 2004-2005.