Woman charged with theft of $53,000 from Park City Water & Sewer

A woman has denied charges she embezzled
more than $53,000 from the Park City Water
and Sewer District.
Courtnie Jean Davis, 39, appeared last Friday
in the 22nd Judicial District Court and
pleaded not guilty to one felony count of theft
by embezzlement.
Stillwater County Attorney Nancy Rohde did
not seek bail in the case as Davis came to court
voluntarily. She must follow standard conditions
while the case is pending which include a
10 p.m. curfew and maintaining or finding a
job. Defense attorney Jeff Cunningham said
Davis has multiple sclerosis which leaves her
unable to work.
According to court documents, the Stillwater
County Sheriff’s Office was called in May 2015
by Board Chairman Myron Gross and billing
clerk Bonnie Demaniow who trained Davis to
take over her position. Davis was hired in
March 2014 and worked with Demaniow for
one month to learn the billing and account process.
In within a month of two, the water board
began questioning the billing process as they,
as well as the Stillwater County Commissioners,
were receiving complaints that Davis “was
never in the district office during her working
hours,” according to court documents.
In May 2014, Gross met with Davis at her
request, at which time she allegedly admitted
she was stealing money by writing checks to
herself and then altering the bank statements
and reports to conceal that. At that time she
estimated she had stolen approximately
$50,000. An audit revealed the amount of the
theft totaled $53,689.55, according to court documents.
Davis and her attorney met with Deputy
Randy Smith and admitted she had stolen more
than $50,000.