An agreement has been reached between Amanda Baker, former Clark County Library Board Treasurer charged with embezzling over $200 thousand from the board, and the prosecution following a March 27 change of plea hearing. The agreement includes a recommendation of prison time and full restitution to the board.
Baker, who originally pled not guilty in the case, has now agreed with the State of Idaho, to recommend a sentence of ten years; 15 months fixed and eight years and nine months indeterminate, following her plea change, according to court documents.
As part of the agreement, Baker will be required to pay restitution to the Library Board, in the amount of $226,384.59, as well as all costs related to the investigation. She will also be required to pay a fine to the courts, in an amount which will be determined at sentencing.
A jury trial for Baker had initially been scheduled for March 27; upon nearing an agreement between both defense and prosecution, a stipulation was filed in late February stating a jury trial would be unnecessary and instead scheduled a Change of Plea hearing for that day.
Baker was charged with a felony count of grand theft by embezzlement in August 2023. A Clark County Sheriff’s Office investigation later found she had embezzled over $200 thousand from the Clark County Library Board over the course of seven years.
The investigation found PayPal charges, which had been used as a personal line of credit to different stores and retailers, ATM withdrawals over $100 and transfers from the library’s account to Baker’s personal account. Baker had, allegedly, previously told CCSO deputies these charges were used to pay for personal credit cards and other monthly bills.
At the time of her arrest in August, Baker allegedly told CCSO deputies she had likely misappropriated at least $40 or $50 thousand from the board.
According to documents filed by Prosecuting Attorney Janna Birch, a felony count of grand theft by embezzlement has a maximum penalty of imprisonment of not more than 14 years and a fine not exceeding $5,000, or both. Baker’s plea agreement, presently, meets those standards while the fine will be determined at sentencing.
A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for June 26, 2024.
We welcome comments, however there are some guidelines:
Keep it Clean: Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexual language. Don't Threaten:
Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated. Be
Truthful: Don't lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice: No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading. Be Proactive: Report abusive
posts and don’t engage with trolls. Share with Us:
Tell us your personal accounts and the history behind articles.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
We welcome comments, however there are some guidelines:
Keep it Clean: Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexual language. Don't Threaten: Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful: Don't lie about anyone or anything. Be Nice: No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading. Be Proactive: Report abusive posts and don’t engage with trolls. Share with Us: Tell us your personal accounts and the history behind articles.