Officials from the Story County Sheriff’s Office said they are glad to have the embezzlement case of one of their employees completed.

Lt. Rhonda Goosic, who was in charge of the civil division and who was the former public information officer for the Story County Sheriff’s Office, received a 10 year suspended sentence in an Iowa court, Tuesday, for stealing $81,000 from the Sheriff’s Office, said her attorney Stephen Terrill.

“The Sheriff’s Office is embarrassed by this matter, but we are happy to put the matter behind us,” said Lt. Gary Foster.

Goosic pleaded guilty to first degree theft, a class C felony, after she was arrested in March. She was later released on her own recognizance, Terrill said.

Although Goosic will not have to spend time in jail, she has been placed on probation for five years and will be required to perform 2,500 hours of community service, Terrill said.

“Rhonda was an outstanding 22-year employee and friend and co-worker,” Foster said. “I hope she will be able to pay her debt to society and put this incident behind her.”

According to Iowa law, Goosic will not be required to pay back the entire $81,000 because all of it was covered by insurance, Terrill said.

The Sheriff’s Office had 100 percent coverage for employee theft, he said.

Goosic will be required to pay restitution to Iowa for the special audit. The State Auditor’s Office filed a $15,000 fee with the court, Terrill said.

In addition, Goosic was fined $2,500. “In Iowa, all criminal fines have a 30 percent surcharge, which is another $750 that makes her total fine $3,250,” Terrill said.

The original discrepancy of $1,500 was discovered in December of 1995 after the annual Sheriff’s Office audit. Following a special investigation issued by Sheriff Paul Fitzgerald, officials were led to Goosic because she was the only person in the office with access to the incoming funds, the power to deposit it in the bank and the book keeping, Terrill said.”She was the first person they looked at,” he said.

“We were all shocked and saddened.” Foster said. “We have implemented some changes based upon recommendations by the state auditor that are designed to prevent similar occurrences from happening in the office again.”

Officials are concerned about the recent negative publicity.

“The public is watching law enforcement professionals closely in light of a lot of negative and unprofessional incidents that have taken place lately and have been portrayed in the media recently,” Foster said.

“We hope they are isolated incidents,” he said, “but we have to look closely at ourselves and insist on lawful and ethical behavior for all police officials.”