A 51-year-old Kearney woman will serve a total of five years probation following her convictions into the embezzlement of funds from the Young at Heart Senior Center in Bertrand.
Consuello “Coni” Park was initially charged with two counts of Felony Theft and 8 misdemeanor counts of 2nd Degree Forgery related to financial transactions from May 1, 2019 through July 2022 while she was the Director of the Senior Center.
An audit by the Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts and Nebraska State Patrol investigation indicates that $34,246.98 in Senior Center funds were used to make various purchases by Park through Amazon and PayPal accounts for her own benefit. The audit report suggests there were 623 questionable Amazon purchases and 321 questionable PayPal purchases. Twelve of those questionable purchases were refunded. The audit said some of the questionable purchases were for an iPhone, running shoes, laptop computer and FitBit smartwatch.
An affidavit for arrest says Park also paid herself $628.94 above her Board approved wage through 8 payroll checks.
In August 2022, Park was confronted by the Senior Center Board about the suspected mishandling of funds and she resigned the same day. An audit of the funds was completed on February 13, 2023.
As part of a plea agreement in March 2023, Park pled no contest to one count of Felony Theft and four Misdemeanor counts of 2nd Degree Forgery. All other counts were dismissed.
At her sentencing Monday May 22, 2023; Phelps County District Judge Terri Harder sentenced Park to serve 5 years of Probation on the Felony Theft charge and a concurrent term of probation for 2 years on the Misdemeanor 2nd Degree Forgery charges. Park was also ordered to pay $12,000 in restitution. She was also ordered to serve 60 days in jail, with three days credit, which could be waived on successful completion of Probation. Judge Harder also ordered Park to have no contact with Bertrand Young at Heart Senior Center, unless it is an apology letter that is approved by Probation.
