From Deseret News archives:
Ex-Utah mayor facing 7 felony counts
Eagle Mountain's Olsen is accused of misusing funds
Olsen is accused of "intentionally, knowingly or recklessly appropriat(ing) public monies to his own use or benefit or to the use or benefit of another without authority of law," according to charges filed in 4th District Court.
The Utah County Attorney's Office began scrutinizing Olsen's financial records three weeks ago after city employees raised concerns about some of Olsen's travel reimbursement requests.
Olsen, who gained notoriety earlier this year for admitting to lying about having a master's degree in public administration, allegedly requested advance travel money and to be reimbursed for travel to meetings and conferences that he did not attend or that never took place.
"There are people in the city who were concerned about what they were seeing," said Utah County Attorney Kay Bryson.
"In our opinion, they were accurate about the inappropriateness of what was going on."
Although the county attorney's office didn't say how much money Olsen is accused of taking, Bryson said each third-degree felony charge could be attached to the alleged misuse of up to $5,000. Second degree felony charges would apply to amounts over $5,000.
If found guilty, Olsen could face up to five years in prison for each count. Olsen has been scheduled to appear in 4th District Court on Nov. 17 at 8:30 a.m.
Olsen did not return calls for comment on Monday.
"I've never charged an elected official with this particular crime," said Bryson. "We think this is a very straightforward case. Of course, if you charge an elected official like this, it draws media attention, but we're trying to handle this as we would with anybody else."
Eagle Mountain City Councilwoman Heather Jackson said she and Councilman David Lifferth received information about Olsen's alleged misuse of city money shortly before Olsen resigned.
"The second we received evidence, prior to the charges filed (Monday), we moved forward in the appropriate responses by making sure evidence was turned into the attorney's office," Jackson said. "We as a city cannot tolerate abuse of power by any elected official. There's no exception to that, for anyone."
Comments
- Van Gundy marvels over Sloan 9:24 p.m.
- Charges dropped in 'Moon' taping 9:23 p.m.
- TV hero Gene Barry dies at 90 9:23 p.m.
- Eric Church nurses broken foot 9:23 p.m.
- Court to rule on Polanski appearance 9:23 p.m.
- Cuomo leaving ABC morning show 9:23 p.m.
- Gervais says stars in for teasing 9:23 p.m.
- Toby Keith stands by U.S. war efforts 9:23 p.m.
- 'Avatar' game an average shooter 9:23 p.m.
- Obamas, Winfrey talk gifts 9:23 p.m.
- Letters: Global warming a lie
276 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
207 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
195 - Palin signs books, chats with fans
169 - Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
143 - Nude bathers cited for lewdness
138 - Max Hall wants to look ahead
130 - Jazz fall apart late at L.A.
110 - LDS to emphasize helping needy
106 - Revive full food tax?
106
David Rankin, one of Utah's youngest and ablest astrophotographers has...
There was a time when free shipping was rare. This holiday season, you...
Can you tell I just got out of a budget meeting with Gov Gary Herbert?
Far more gun owners have accidentally harmed their own families than have...
When coaches leave, players should be allowed to leave as well, without...
Congratulations to all. This award means a lot as it was voted upon by...
It is the frenzy in our society the pushing of disclosure of others life like...
jen hazlett and brittney martin are going to lead the titans to their first...
Top 5, tier 1: Lance Armstrong, Cycling Tiger Woods, Golf Tom Brady,...
The truth is that Coach Cleveland brought BYU literally back from the dead...
Will the media back off or will they ATTACK him? Will his competitors back...
Although I've never been very excited about golf, Tiger did draw me in from...
All these facts and logic will make these poor liberals heads explode!!...




You can be the first to comment on this story.