Bar Nunn Man Pleads Guilty To Taking Money From Association
A Bar Nunn man pleaded guilty Wednesday to embezzling money from an emergency services group.
Brian Halpain, who was 42 when arrested, entered his plea to one felony count of obtaining property by false pretenses before Natrona County District Court Judge Daniel Forgey.
In exchange for Halpain's plea, his defense attorney Hampton Young and Assistant District Attorney Dan Itzen agreed to dismiss a count of grand larceny.
They recommended a three- to five-year prison term, with all time suspended and three years probation. If the case had gone to trial and he was convicted, he could have faced up to 10 years imprisonment.
While Halpain must pay restitution, Young said the amount is in dispute.
The court is not obligated to accept the plea agreement. Halpain remains free on bond. His sentencing date has not been set.
The case began earlier this year when Natrona County Sheriff’s investigators received a report from the president of the Wyoming Ambulance and Emergency Medical Services Association about financial irregularities from Aug. 13, 2013 to Dec. 1, 2014, according to court records.
The president suspected Halpain, who was the association's secretary and treasurer, had embezzled more than $10,000 by writing unauthorized checks, making unauthorized withdrawals and purchases, and not depositing money received from WAEMSA member fees and book sales.