Former clerk pleads not guilty

A former Grant County Mosquito District 2 clerk appeared in Grant County Superior Court Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to two charges, one of theft and the other misappropriation of funds by a public official.

Charged by the prosecutor’s office was Karyn M. Byam, 40, from Electric City.

The charges stem from her period as clerk of the mosquito district, 2010 to 2014. She had been clerk of the district for 20 years but the charges were confined to that period after a state audit report turned up irregularities showing she had received over $129,000 above her normal pay.

A spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office stated that Byam was present Tuesday and represented by counsel.

Court dates have been set for March 15, May 23 and May 25. The May 25 date is set for trial.

The State Auditor’s Office report came to the attention of Grant County law enforcement. An investigation was conducted by the Grand Coulee Police Department and submitted to the prosecutor for charging.

The theft charge stemmed from the purchase of four computers, with only one turned in when she resigned on March 4, 2015.

The two charges were filed by Grant County Prosecutor Garth Dano on Dec. 17.