Exclusive: Clerk Pleads Guilty In Trial, Tells Eyewitness News She Is Innocent
By: Kayla Moody
Updated: May 25, 2012
There's been an abrupt end to a Tri-State trial. Former Corydon, Kentucky sewer clerk Melissa Clark pleaded guilty to theft charges. Clark is accused of taking town money for her personal use.
In 2011 the Kentucky State auditor found more than $81 thousand unaccounted for in Corydon's finances. Most of the missing money came from the city's sewer accounts, which were managed by Clark.
Clark came under fire for the missing money last September. She was indicted on theft charges and accused of taking more than $10 thousand dollars in town money. Although she pled guilty in court today, Clark tells Eyewitness News her hands are clean of any wrong doing. When asked if she took the town's money Clark replied, "I have eight cents if I'm lucky. That's it. I have nothing."
She says she wanted plead no contest, but the court court wouldn't accept it. Clark believes she could have proven her innocence with receipts -- but says someone threw those receipts away. "What I had to prove that I didn't do it was thrown out after I was put on leave and it's never been found," says Clark.
Clark will be sentenced June 18. The commonwealth attorney is recommending she receive the maximum sentence of 10 years.
In 2011 the Kentucky State auditor found more than $81 thousand unaccounted for in Corydon's finances. Most of the missing money came from the city's sewer accounts, which were managed by Clark.
Clark came under fire for the missing money last September. She was indicted on theft charges and accused of taking more than $10 thousand dollars in town money. Although she pled guilty in court today, Clark tells Eyewitness News her hands are clean of any wrong doing. When asked if she took the town's money Clark replied, "I have eight cents if I'm lucky. That's it. I have nothing."
She says she wanted plead no contest, but the court court wouldn't accept it. Clark believes she could have proven her innocence with receipts -- but says someone threw those receipts away. "What I had to prove that I didn't do it was thrown out after I was put on leave and it's never been found," says Clark.
Clark will be sentenced June 18. The commonwealth attorney is recommending she receive the maximum sentence of 10 years.
