Former Hartford Fair secretary gets 30 days in jail, restitution for theft
The former Hartford Independent Fair financial secretary/fiscal officer was sentenced to 30 days in jail last week after she was found guilty of stealing from the organization.
Brooke A. Williams-Browning, 50, of Centerburg, pleaded guilty to one count of theft, a fourth-degree felony; two counts of forgery, both fifth-degree felonies; and two counts of tampering with records, both third-degree felonies, in Licking County Common Pleas Court on Monday Dec. 5.
In a press release, the Ohio Auditor's Office said their special investigations unit began working with the Licking County Sheriff’s Office in early 2020 after learning Williams-Browning allegedly stole about $14,000 from the Hartford Fair. Williams-Browning had been employed by the Hartford Fair Board for about 15 years.
A subsequent investigation revealed Williams-Browning made $30,294 in improper credit/debit card purchases and issued $5,820 in checks to herself that had no proper public purpose, according to the state auditor.
On Monday, Judge Thomas Marcelain handed Williams-Browning a 30-day jail sentence, and ordered her to make nearly $39,190 in restitution. She will also serve three years of community control.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Former Hartford Fair secretary gets 30 days in jail, restitution for theft
