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Ex-clerk repays $15,000

By Joshua Roberts - | Apr 30, 2003

Claiming she suffers from a psychiatric disorder, a former Basehor employee apologized on Friday for defrauding the city.

Earlier this month, Jennifer Srubas-Willis, a former city clerk who handled utility bills and municipal court fees, pleaded no contest to misuse of public funds.

Appearing in court on Friday with her attorney, Catalina Thompson of Leavenworth, Srubas-Willis was given an 18-month suspended sentence.

If she fails to comply with the terms of her probation, she will serve seven months in prison, prosecutors said.

Srubas-Willis, a Basehor native, appeared contrite Friday morning and said she was sorry for stealing from city coffers. She also claimed she is bipolar, taking medication and receiving counseling.

Originally, prosecutors charged Srubas-Willis with misuse of public funds and felony theft, both felonies. Later, prosecutors dropped the felony theft charge as part of a plea agreement that called for Srubas-Willis to pay the city $15,000 in restitution.

A cashier’s check for that amount was given to the court Friday, and funds will be dispensed to the city, prosecutors said. An exact amount of funds taken from the city remains undetermined. Prosecutors had said the figure could be as high as $30,000.

However, city officials said that figure could never be proven in court. Srubas-Willis was hired as an assistant city clerk in June 2001. Her employment was terminated in July 2002.