Preliminary appearance set

A former clerk in Grant County Mosquito District 2, charged with theft and misappropriation of funds, will make a preliminary appearance in Superior Court, Jan. 26, at 9 a.m., the prosecutor’s office stated Monday.

Karyn M. Byam, 40, an Electric City resident, was charged after a state auditor’s report found irregularities and an investigation by Grant County and Grand Coulee police investigations affirmed the report.

The theft charge stems from the purchase of four computers, with only one turned in when Byam resigned her position March 4, 2015.

She is also charged with misappropriation of funds, totaling $129,834, between 2010 and 2014.

Grant County prosecuting attorney Garth Dano filed the two charges Dec. 17.

His office stated Monday that arraignment could come at the same time as the preliminary appearance, but usually is scheduled for the following week.

Byam had been clerk of Mosquito District 2 for about 20 years.