Former clerk admits guilt in theft case

SANDPOINT — A former assistant clerk for the city of Clark Fork pleaded guilty Monday to misappropriating public funds.

Sandra Jaan Brockus faces up to 14 years in prison, although a plea agreement in her case proposes local incarceration and a suspended prison term, according to court documents.

Brockus, 38, is accused of pocketing money the city collects from its water customers last year. Water payment funds started turning up missing and the city installed a surveillance system, which captured images of Brockus committing the thefts, city officials have said.

Brockus was charged with two counts of felony misuse of public funds. Under the terms of the agreement, Brockus pleaded to one count in exchange for the other count’s dismissal.

The state also agrees not to pursue additional charges against Brockus.

The agreement proposes a suspended prison sentence of two to four years and a jail sentence, the length of which would be determined at sentencing. Brockus would also be fined and ordered to pay restitution.

A sentencing hearing is pending in 1st District Court. The sentencing judge is not required to adopt the sentence recommendations outlined in the plea agreement.