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IRON COUNTY — Former longtime Iron County Children's Justice Center director Stephanie Ann Ward-Furnival pleaded guilty last week to theft and misusing public money, although the charges may later be permanently dismissed if she successfully complies with the probationary terms outlined by the court.
In a brief virtual hearing conducted by 5th District Judge Eric R. Gentry on Jan. 8, Ward-Furnival, 53, entered guilty pleas to one count of theft by deception (value between $1,500 and $4,999) and one count of misusing public money. Although both counts were initially charged as third-degree felonies, they were reduced to class A misdemeanors as part of the plea agreement.
As previously reported, the charges stemmed from when Ward-Furnival, then working as Iron County Children's Justice Center director, was accused of submitting more than two dozen mileage reimbursement claims for work-related meetings in 2020 and 2021 that were either conducted virtually or that she did not attend, court documents stated.
In addition to abiding by the standard probationary terms and conditions, Ward-Furnival must perform 24 hours of community service and pay $2,730.20 in restitution, plus interest, to Iron County, along with a $300 fine. The payments are to be made in $175 monthly installments starting Feb. 1, according to the court.
