PORT TOWNSEND — A former Jefferson Fire District No. 5 secretary has been charged with first-degree theft and forgery in connection with the misappropriation of $77,153.59 in public funds, court documents show.
Prosecuting Attorney Juelie Dalzell filed the felony charges against Christine F. Nelson, 40, in Jefferson County Superior Court on Tuesday.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s office had forwarded a probable cause report to Dalzell’s office after an investigation.
Dalzell said an arrest warrant seeking Nelson, whose whereabouts are unknown, would be filed as well,
Nelson was believed to have fled to California or South Carolina.
The theft charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine, while the forgery charge carries a five-year term and $10,000 fine.
Nelson is described as 5-feet, 2-inches tall, blonde, Caucasian and weighing 140 pounds.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Ted DeBray notified the defendant in court records that the state may seek an exceptional sentence because the crimes constituted “a major economic offense.”
Anyone with information about Nelson’s location is asked to phone the sheriff’s office at 360-385-3831.
