Athol embezzlement case takes a twist

The former Athol city clerk who was fired last week amid embezzlement allegations has apparently fled the area with her husband.

Multiple sources say the Athol-area home of Chuck and Sally Hansen is now vacant. Chuck Hansen is a Timberlake Fire Protection District commissioner, and resigned from his Lakeland Joint School District grounds job this week.

The Press reported last week that Sally was unanimously fired by the Athol City Council. She had served as Athol's clerk since 2009.

Lakeland School District Finance Director Tom Taggart said Chuck resigned from his position as the district's lead grounds person effective Tuesday for personal reasons.

"I have no knowledge of his personal situation," Taggart said in an email to The Press.

Rudy Rudebaugh, chairman of the board for the Timberlake fire district - which serves the Athol and Bayview areas - said Chuck didn't attend two board meetings in June. Rudebaugh said he's not aware of anyone at the district who has been in recent contact with Chuck and that Chuck did not say he couldn't attend the meetings.

Rudebaugh said board members are not obligated to tell fellow board members that they will be absent, but it's a courteous thing to do.

"For a period of 90 days, he's still an elected official unless he resigns, is recalled or convicted of a felony," Rudebaugh said.

Rudebaugh said the board can't and won't take any action until the 90-day period is over, so the waiting game has begun.

Rudebaugh called the circumstances surrounding the Hansens "shocking."

"We hope to hear from him soon," Rudebaugh said.

Chuck did not return messages left on Thursday seeking comment. Sally couldn't be reached for comment.

The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office issued a press release Thursday on the Athol City Hall embezzlement investigation, stating that the department was called to City Hall on June 12 to a report of "possible theft of public funds."

"According to representatives from the city of Athol, they discovered that an employee who had access to the city's accounts may have been embezzling funds from the city for an unknown length of time," the press release stated.

The KCSO is working with the city of Athol on the investigation.

"Since the investigation is still in the early stages, it is unknown the total extent of the funds that may have been embezzled," the press release stated.

No charges have been filed.

The KCSO declined to release more detail than was provided in the press release, citing the ongoing investigation.

Athol city officials have declined to comment.

Tamie Cunningham is serving as the temporary city clerk until a replacement is hired.

Some Athol residents said they didn't receive a water bill last month. In the interim, Athol Mayor Darla Kuhman encourages residents to drop off the monthly base water rate of $13.50 ($27 for the two months) to be current on their bills. She said bills won't be sent this month, but should resume next month. She said the city will keep track of who has paid their bills last month and this month.

Kuhman said since the clerk generally handles details with Athol Daze, slated for Aug. 9 this year, volunteers and auction items are needed. Those interested should call 683-2101, 964-1077 or 964-1022.