Thursday, March 28, 2024

Belknap receives settlement check

Village board members Mariann Fry, left, Johnny Evans, mayor Janet Hester and former board member Kathy Meyers are pictured with the settlement check received last week from the village’s bonding company.

The Village of Belknap has received $19,636.43 last week from Western Surety Company, the village’s bonding agency, as final settlement of village funds stolen in recent years by former village clerk Nancy Hester.

Nancy Hester was convicted last year of a Class 2 Felony Theft of more than $25,000 from the village between 2010 and 2013. She is currently serving a three-year prison sentence.

According to Belknap mayor Janet Hester, once released from prison, Nancy Hester will be responsible to pay back the remaining funds not covered by bonding company.

“We are so glad to have this settled,” mayor Hester said. “It seems this has dragged on forever.”

“We’ve had a lot of help getting to this point. The state police helped all the way through,” Hester added. “State’s attorney Tambra Cain and Jeannie Housewright at Lawrence and Bean Insurance have both been very helpful throughout the process.”

There had been lots of rumors on social media that the village received a settlement payment many months ago and was keeping it hidden.

Belknap-bond-check“Now maybe the nasty rumors will stop,” mayor Hester said. “We have been accused of all kinds of things regarding this. Maybe this check will clear the air.”

“The village has always been upfront and open about the situation,” the mayor noted, “And we will continue being open about all the village operations.”