PORT ANGELES — Staci L. Allison, the former Clallam County Sheriff’s Department evidence technician accused of stealing county money in 2006, pleaded not guilty to first-degree theft and money laundering today.
Clallam County Superior Court Judge S. Brooke Taylor set a one-week trial for Aug. 17, and released Allison on her own recognizance. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. July 16.
Allison, 39, of Montesano, is charged with stealing $8,644.19 from the sheriff’s department evidence room in 2006. She was fired in April 2007 after a State Patrol investigation found a total of $51,251.33 missing.
Prosecutors are charging Allison on the provable thefts. The penalty would be the same on a conviction for either amount.
First-degree theft and money laundering are Class B felonies with maximum penalties of 10 years imprisonment and a $20,000 fine.
“It’s my belief that [$51,251.33] is what she stole, because that’s what we’re missing,” said Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict has said.
“She’s being charged with [stealing more than] $8,000 because that’s what we think we can prove.”
Benedict said that his department, with help from the FBI and several financial experts who volunteered their services, took over the investigation after the State Patrol worked on it.
Allison was arrested on Dec. 21, 2006 on investigation of first-degree theft and released the next day. The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office declined to file charges until an investigation was complete.
Bail request denied
Despite a lack of criminal or warrant history, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Christy Kollmar requested $10,000 bail.
“The charges, as alleged, as very serious,” Kollmar told the judge.
“There is a fair amount of money in this case which was alleged to be embezzled, or money laundered, from the county.”
Defense attorney Stan Myers countered by saying bail is not appropriate in the case.
“I don’t see her as a flight risk at all,” Myers said.
He said that Allison is a 26-year resident of the Olympic Peninsula with a good job, two kids and who is in a stable relationship with an Elma police officer.
Taylor denied Kollmar’s request.
“I’m going to release her on her personal recognizance,” he said.
He imposed standard conditions of release and restricted Allison’s travel to Washington.
Allison was summoned to appear in Clallam County Superior Court in a document that was signed May 29. She was not booked into Clallam County jail.
Allison, who was hired by the Clallam County Sheriff’s Department in April 2002, is accused of deleting 49 computer records from the sheriff’s department evidence system in May 2006. The deletions occurred one day before an audit.
She was placed on paid administrative leave in November 2006 after an internal audit discovered the missing money.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
