(Atlantic) A restitution hearing was held this morning for former Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Director Bailey Smith.
Smith was accused of using the Chamber credit card for personal transactions. She pleaded guilty in June to first-degree theft and unauthorized use of a credit card over $10,000. In August, Smith was sentenced to 10 years in prison on each count, but those sentences were suspended. She was given five years of probation on each count, with the sentences to be served concurrently.
The State, represented by Cass County Attorney Vanessa Strazdas, called three witnesses to the stand this morning.
Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kelsey Beschorner, who previously served as Programs Director, discussed her role in the investigation. She cross-referenced credit card charges with the dates of Chamber activities to determine whether the purchases were appropriate.
Cass County Deputy Benjamin Bartholomew investigated the case by reviewing credit card statements and receipts provided to the Chamber by Bailey Smith. He identified which charges were personal and which were legitimate Chamber expenses. Bartholomew also obtained search warrants to collect purchase records from vendors, including Walmart and Amazon, to further verify the transactions.
The state called Chamber Board President Anne Quist to the stand, where she explained why the Chamber has not been making payments on the credit card.
In cross examination, Attorney Jonathan Mailander asked how the credit card was set up.
Mailander called Bailey Smith to the stand, where she said she was under the impression that the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce was responsible for the credit card because it was a business credit card and not a personal card.
Smith said it is her intention to work with the collection agency to settle the credit card statement.
Those were just a few highlights from the hearing, which lasted just under an hour. No decision was made on the amount of restitution this morning.
Vanessa Strazdas requested a week to submit a written argument. Judge Eric Nelson granted that request, as well as a week for Johnathan Mailander to respond. The matter was taken under advisement, and the judge will issue a ruling based on the information submitted.
The full hearing can be heard below:
