Ex-Genola clerk accused of theft may agree to deal

PROVO — A former Genola employee charged with taking thousands of dollars from city funds has a plea deal in the works.

Former town clerk Traci Wright, 42, appeared in 4th District Court Tuesday morning with her attorney, Mike Petro, who said he hoped to get a resolution finalized by that afternoon.

Wright is charged with 27 felonies: 13 of misuse of public funds, 13 of forgery and one charge of theft, for allegedly taking more than $65,000 from the city.

However, the Utah County Attorney's Office needed more time to discuss details, Petro said, and Wright's case will be in court again on Aug. 19.

The plea deal will most likely involve paying a large sum of restitution up front, Petro said.

In late 2007, Genola city employees noted some financial irregularities and alerted the mayor.

He in turn contacted the Utah County Attorney's Office, which investigated and alleged that Wright had written numerous unauthorized checks to herself and forged the signatures.

She was charged on Jan. 30.