CLARINDA — The former treasurer of the Clarinda Booster Club faces a hearing Monday in the theft of nearly $30,000.
Cynthia Ann Gerdts of Clarinda is to be arraigned on one count of first-degree theft in Page County District Court. She made her initial court appearance Dec. 28.
According to court documents, Gerdts is alleged to have stolen $29,721.56 from the booster club over the course of several years.
Police said Gerdts admitted to taking money from the club's account because "she has a gambling problem and used the money to fuel the addiction."
Officials at Page County Federal Savings Association noticed some suspicious activity in October 2011 and fired Gerdts. (The club had an account there.)
The club president reported the matter to police a few days later.
Since the discovery of the theft, the president said the club has taken action to improve its money-handling practices.
First-degree theft carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000. The case is set to go to trial April 10.
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