Woman pleads guilty in school theft case

OGDEN (AP) — A woman accused of stealing nearly $1 million from a school foundation pleaded guilty to reduced charges Thursday, a county attorney said.

Denise Aughney, 47, pleaded guilty to 45 counts of theft, money laundering and forgery in 2nd District Court, said Weber County Attorney Mark DeCaria.

Aughney was originally charged with 57 counts. DeCaria said most of the counts to which Aughney pleaded guilty were second-degree felonies that carry a maximum sentence of 15 years each.

Aughney, of South Ogden, was a secretary at the Weber School Foundation when the money disappeared. She was fired in December.

Authorities said Aughney forged signatures to get access to cash and altered records to cover her tracks.

The foundation raises money for field trips and other projects in the 28,744-student Weber School District.

Aughney acknowledged taking money in response to a civil lawsuit filed by the foundation.