Former Genola clerk forgoes hearing

PROVO — The former town clerk of Genola waived her right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday.

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 for allegedly taking as much as $240,000 from town coffers. An investigation by the Utah County Attorney's Office began shortly after someone reported irregularities in the finances and reported it to Mayor Eric Hazelet.

Wright waived her right to have the judge review the Utah County aAttorney's evidence in support of the charges, said Deputy County Attorney Ryan Peters. The action is not an admission of guilt, he emphasized.

Wright will appear in court again for an arraignment July 15.