WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The former Altoona city clerk has admitted that she defrauded the southeast Kansas town of nearly $48,000. U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said in a news release Wednesday that 30-year-old Chrystal Scherbarth pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. In her plea, she admitted she used her access to the city's accounts at the First Neodesha Bank in the scheme She fraudulently increased her hourly and overtime pay and credited herself with unearned vacation and sick leave. The crime cost Altoona more than $47,800. Sentencing is set for April 29. She faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million.
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