Flannery gets 90 days in jail

MEEKER — The former Rio Blanco County Historical Society’s volunteer treasurer — charged with using the organization’s funds for personal use — will spend 90 days in jail and was placed on probation for 10 years.
Shelly Flannery was sentenced Friday in Rio Blanco County court.
“She was present, in custody, with her defense counsel,” said Jay Barasch, deputy district attorney for the 9th Judicial District. “She was in custody pursuant to her other case in Routt County, where she had just started a 90-day jail sentence.”
In the Rio Blanco County case, Flannery pleaded guilty in April to one count of theft of $1,000 to $20,000, a Class 4 felony, with a recommendation for probation.
“Hopefully, this is finally over,” said Steve Wix, historical society president, after Flannery’s plea. “… Shelly’s actions wounded the historical society, but we are moving forward with our projects and duties.”
Flannery, who repaid the historical society $7,300 in July, was ordered to pay restitution to the organization in the amount of about $1,200, as well as write a letter of apology. The 90 days in jail is to run concurrent with the Routt County sentence, and she was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation. Flannery accepted a plea agreement in the Routt County case, where she had initially been charged with stealing $70,000 during her time as executive director of the Habitat for Humanity.
“From this ordeal, we have learned to be less trusting of people, even friends, with our money,” Wix said when Flannery entered her plea in Rio Blanco County. “I hope other organizations and boards have also learned from what happened to us.”