Uintah Special Service District board member Merlin Sinfield, Vernal, testified that the board had complete faith in Erickson and did not take time to review the paperwork she presented for payment when members signed checks to Mitchell Construction.

"We had a lot of trust (in Erickson). We were very confident in her," Sinfield testified when he took the stand last Wednesday.

Erickson's defense attorney, Wendy Lewis, suggested to jurors that her client was targeted by McCurdy because she wanted her job. And Mitchell's attorney told the jury the work done by his client's construction company was completed in good faith and that as far as Mitchell knew, all payments he received from the special service district were justified.

Sentencing for Mitchell and Erickson is slated for April. Each count carries a possible maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

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