June 4 hearing set for ex-Genola clerk

PROVO — The former town clerk for Genola appeared in court Tuesday to request an evidentiary hearing for her felony charges.

Traci Wright, 41, is charged in 4th District Court with 13 felony charges of misuse of public funds, 13 charges of forgery and one charge of theft, a combination of second- and third-degree felonies.

Wright was charged in late January after an investigation into Genola's finances.

Someone had noticed financial irregularities and notified the mayor, who then called the Utah County Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors believe Wright, who had access to the city's coffers, wrote numerous unauthorized checks to herself, then forged the signatures, according to Mariane O'Bryant, deputy Utah County attorney.

Her attorney, Doug Nielsen, asked Judge Steven Hansen for a special full-day setting, with extra time to prepare, due to the number of charges.

She will appear in court again for a preliminary hearing June 4.