Former Mills Mayor Pleads No Contest To One Misdemeanor, Not Guilty To Three Others
The former mayor of Mills pleaded no contest to one misdemeanor count and not guilty to three more during her arraignment in Natrona County Circuit Court on Friday.
Marrolyce Wilson entered the no contest plea to official misconduct before Judge Brian Christensen.
She pleaded not guilty to a charge of conflict of interest, interference with a peace officer, and being an unauthorized holder of a liquor license. She was represented by attorney Tom Jubin of Cheyenne.
She was charged with the misdemeanors in January.
Christensen will set a jury trial for later for the remaining three counts. He also said the sentencing for the official misconduct charge will be scheduled later. She is free on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond.
The penalty for official misconduct is a fine of up to $5,000. If convicted, the penalty for conflict of interest is a fine of up to $5,000; the penalty for interference with a peace officer is up to one year in jail; and state law does not prescribe a penalty for an unauthorized holder of a local liquor license.
The case against Wilson arose during an investigation of Lisa Whetstone, the former treasurer/clerk of the Town of Mills starting January 2015. The Wyoming Department of Audit found more than $64,000 in cash received by the town that was not deposited into its bank account from July 2013 to June 2014.
The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation was called to look further and found other irregularities. On March 3, Whetstone pleaded guilty to one felony count of using a public credit card for personal purposes.
Meanwhile, the DCI found issues with Wilson:
- After a failed attempt to use her position to buy a city-owned property, she used her daughter to buy it for $15,000, transfer it to her, and sell it for a $15,000 profit. After an interview with a DCI agent, Wilson resigned as mayor.
- A town employee told the DCI Wilson and Whetstone told her to deny law enforcement any access to town hall, even if they possess a search warrant, or else she would be fired.
- Wilson had a retail liquor license for the Hideaway Bar, 211 Riverview Ave., in Mills. Whetstone issued the license when it was renewed in August 2015. Wyoming law prohibits a mayor to hold, transfer or be issued a retail liquor license within the jurisdiction where they hold office.