Ex-court clerk no longer on probation, judge rules

BRIGHAM CITY — A judge has terminated the probation for a former court clerk convicted of forging a judge's signature.

Court records show Maria Gomez pleaded guilty to a third-degree felony charge of forgery and was sentenced in July to 36 months probation. She was also ordered to pay fines and complete 80 hours of community service. The judge said the case may be closed upon completion of the terms, according to court minutes.

In September, Gomez's attorney filed a motion to terminate her probation, which the judge signed. Weber County prosecutors objected, but the judge ruled last week they waited too long to lodge a protest.

Gomez, 38, was a clerk in Ogden's 2nd District Court. She was accused of putting a judge's signature on a document in an eviction lawsuit in which she was involved.

— Ben Winslow