A New Franklin woman who stole 3$39,000 from the Friends of the Howard County Library Association must pay restitution and has been placed on five years probation. She’s also been sentenced to 20 days of “shock time” in the county jail. 

50-year-old Kathryn June Yardley pleaded guilty in July to two counts of forgery. Yardley had been charged with five counts, but Howard County Prosecutor Mason Gebhardt dismissed the three charges as part of the plea agreement, noting sentencing was a “tough call”, but says he was guided by what the Library Board wanted.

Yardley had been the Association’s treasurer. Gebhardt says Yardley had forged the Association President’s name on multiple checks which withdrew money from various accounts.

Earlier this year, Yardley posted a $4,000 bond. After court costs are deducted, the rest of those funds will be used for restitution. Gebhardt says Yardley will then have to repay about $37,500.

The case was transferred to Macon County on a change of venue, and Judge Hadley Grimm sentenced Yardley.