By Drew Moody
Special to the Hur Herald
The cost to Gilmer County for Michelle Dawn Rose's pilfering of tax
moneys now exceeds
$12,000, Sheriff Mickey Metz confirmed Wednesday.
Court appointed attorney John Oshoway of Grantsville said since Rose, of
Glenville, was initially
charged, more stolen money was discovered.
In addition, the state audit
costs to Gilmer County
were higher since special attention had to be given to the sheriff's
department to sort things out.
Those costs have been added to Rose's debt to the county to arrive at
the $12,000 plus mark.
"When there's a problem it (the audit) becomes much more in depth and
requires more time,"
said Norma Hurley, deputy clerk of Gilmer County, explaining the higher
costs incurred.
Judge Alsop told the court Monday he was very disappointed a plan for
restitution had not been
submitted and postponed sentencing until June 12 at 10:45 a.m.
He
specifically asked to hear
from the sheriff's office regarding its position on the matter.
Sheriff Metz said Wednesday he intends to submit a letter to Judge Alsop
asking for complete
restitution in the Rose case.
Gilmer County Commissioner Larry Chapman said the commission will be
waiting to hear from
the prosecutor. "He (Jerry Hough) should apprise us of the situation and
tell us if there's a need
for a letter."
Chapman does support restitution, but suggested any payment plan must
take into consideration
the defendant's budget. "She's a mother and she has a family," he said.
Fortunately, the missing funds will have no immediate impact on county
services because the
commission establishes a contingency fund each budget year.
According to
Chapman, that
fund is about three percent of the annual budget, or this year around
$35,000. "We go into
the budget with a little cushion.".
Commission President Dave Hess, who won his primary election Tuesday,
was unavailable
for comment.
Prosecuting attorney, Jerry Hough, told Judge Alsop Rose's situation was
a "rare exception"
and doesn't object to probation in this instance. Hough brought images
of "Dante's Inferno,"
into his presentation regarding betraying the pubic trust, but added
that Rose was aware
she'd made poor decisions.
Hough suggested she was attempting to live
beyond her means
with a poor choice of friends, ultimately partying away much of the
stolen money.
The defense has asked the court to have mercy in meting out punishment
to Rose, who faces
up to 10 years in prison for her crime. Court appointed attorney John
Oshoway, of Grantsville,
told the court Rose accepts responsibility for her actions and has made
no excuses.
He
maintained Rose's conduct in this instance is inconsistent with her
past. Oshoway told the
court an unexpected divorce, depression and dire financial stress were
contributing factors
leading up to the theft.
Oshoway acknowledged during his plea for his client that his client
falsified receipts and took
public funds, but said "incarceration is too harsh a punishment."
Michelle Rose spoke before the court as well during the proceedings. She
tearfully apologized,
telling Judge Alsop she regretted her actions every day. "I loved my
job, and the people I
worked with," she said.
Rose is the niece of Chief Deputy Jimmy Moss, who was instrumental in
the initial investigation
of the crime after citizens reported a problem with delinquent tax
postings in the newspaper.
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