New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly A. Ayotte announces that a waiver of indictment has been filed charging Nancy Cook, age 46, of Laconia with one count of Theft by Unauthorized Taking contrary to RSA 637:3, a class A felony. The complaint alleges that Cook, who was formerly employed by Belknap County, obtained or exercised unauthorized control over approximately $40,601.99, the property of Belknap County, with a purpose to deprive the County of those funds. The complaint further alleges that Cook did so by writing checks made payable to cash out of the County's account, cashing the checks and using the funds for her personal needs, as well as writing a check to purchase a computer for her own personal use.

A plea and sentencing hearing has been scheduled for September 10, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. in the Belknap County Superior Court. The maximum sentence of imprisonment for a class A felony is fifteen years.

Attorney General Kelly A. Ayotte said: "New Hampshire's taxpayers deserve to have every tax dollar spent only for its intended purpose. Those who hold the public's trust and then violate that trust will be vigorously prosecuted by my Office."