A former Yale and Bayard City Clerk has been given a suspended prison sentence for class C felony theft charges Friday.

According to the Guthrie County Attorney’s office, 45-year-old Renee Lynn Van Gundy was sentenced to a total of 20 years for two counts of first degree theft. The incidents took place in April 2014 where Van Gundy issued unauthorized checks to herself from the two cities, improperly used the city’s credit card for personal purchases, and used city funds to pay personal bills.

Van Gundy pled guilty on November 26th. The sentences were ordered to run consecutively and were suspended. Van Gundy will be placed on five years of probation and must pay fines and restitution. Charges of unauthorized use of a credit card and forgery were dismissed. The City of Yale has requested $6,956.90 in restitution for the insurance deductible and the amount unpaid by insurance, and the City of Bayard requested $1,155.20 as well.

Former Guthrie County Attorney Mary Benton prosecuted the case and current County Attorney Brenna Bird represented the State at sentencing. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, City of Yale, City of Bayard, and the Auditor of State all assisted in the investigation.