Posted on 11/24/2005 9:04:55 AM PST by ncountylee
ANACONDA — A former Drummond justice court judge who stole public funds will remain on probation for the next six years, if she abides by the conditions of her deferred prison sentence. Melody Gessele, 48, Philipsburg, received a three-year suspended sentence and a six-year deferred sentence for two counts of felony theft by common scheme, one from Granite County and the other from the city of Drummond. Those sentences will run concurrently.
She was also sentenced to 200 hours of community service for two counts of misdemeanor official misconduct.
The sentencing hearing was held Nov. 18 in Granite County District Court with District Judge Ted Mizner presiding. Gessele appeared with her attorney, Mike McLean of Anaconda.
Gessele, who held the office of Justice of the Peace and Drummond City Judge for six years, pleaded guilty to the charges in July.
Records show she took around $17,000 in fines, court fees and bonds from the state, Granite County and the city of Drummond. Besides that amount, audits on county books cost taxpayers about $1,000 plus $2,360 in additional fees.
Before her sentencing, Gessele paid $9,000 in restitution, according to Granite County Attorney Blaine Bradshaw. The balance of roughly $10,000 must be paid at a rate of $50 per month, with a lump sum payoff before the end of her probationary period, he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at mtstandard.com ...
2 felonies and no jail time. Sweet deal for a judge that should be treated harder if anything.
I can't for the life of me guess what her party affiliation is.
Happy Thanksgiving, freepers!
The entire article makes it sound like alcohol and bar-hopping had something to do with it.
No party mentioned so can we assume she is a rat?
She is a crook, she needs to pay restitution and then be billed for the cost of the trial and all investigations into her crimes.
Worked with Melody G. as a waitress at Georgetown Lake. No Surprise here...always a scheme for money...big surprise for me was the community that elected her as a Judge! So no surprise that the same community would give her no jail time. You get what you get if you ask for it!! Jennifer L.
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