Former P.J. City Clerk Facing Charges

A former Pacific Junction city clerk is facing criminal charges following an investigation by the Iowa State Auditor’s Office and Mills County Sheriff’s Office.

Kari Williams, 43, turned herself into authorities last month and has been charged with first-degree theft and felonious misconduct, Class “D” felonies, and tampering with records, an aggravated misdemeanor. She’s also accused of failing to properly publish city council meeting Her preliminary in Mills County District Court is scheduled for today (Oct. 7).

Auditors identified nearly $32,000 in improper disbursements Williams had made from city accounts from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2013. The investigation also identified $74,000 in liability to the Internal Revenue Service for unpaid payroll taxes, penalties and interest, according to a report from Iowa State Auditor Mary Mosiman.

The improper disbursements included nearly $16,000 in vacation, sick leave and holiday pay received by Williams. She also received over $1,200 in improper bonuses and $700 in double-counted working hours. City policy requires employees to work at least 32 hours per week to be eligible for benefits such as vacation, sick leave and holiday pay. Investigators determined Williams worked an average of 26 hours per week.

In several instances, according to investigators, Williams issued her own paycheck before processing payroll for other city workers.

The audit report released also identified funds improperly distributed to a city maintenance supervisor and a lack of fiduciary oversight by Pacific Junction city council members.