Ex county worker gets probation for stealing

A local woman has been sentenced to serve 18 months probation for taking money while she was an employee of the Cowley County Treasurer.

Diana Blatchford-Gurley, 45, entered a plea agreement Monday on three counts of criminal deprivation of property. The charges are misdemeanors.

Blatchford-Gurley originally had been charged with counts of theft and misuse of public funds. County attorney Chris Smith said the theft charges became criminal deprivation charges because there was clear evidence that Blatchford-Gurley was repaying the money, even before she was caught.

The crimes were said to have occurred in the spring of 2011. Blatchford-Gurley was arrested in December and no longer works for the county.

Smith said he consulted with county officials before deciding on the agreement.

Blatchford-Gurley also received an underlying sentence of two years in jail, meaning she could be incarcerated if she fails to complete her probation.

Restitution of just over $1,000 must also be paid.

Blatchford-Gurley had originally faced a misuse of public funds charge, which is a felony. Smith, though, said it became clear that the misuse charge was directed more toward elected officials who take money.

Because Blatchford-Gurley had no criminal history, he said, probation always was the most likely punishment she would receive.