Former state representative pleads guilty in Ashdown

Fonda Hawthorne, a former Arkansas state representative, pleaded guilty this week to a theft of property charge for making several thousand dollars in unauthorized purchases on the Little River Chamber of Commerce debit card, an official said.

Ninth Judicial Circuit Judge Charles Yeargan will sentence Hawthorne May 21. A hearing is scheduled at 9 a.m. that day for Hawthorne to explain why she took $12,097 in chamber funds, said Bryan Chesshir, Ninth Judicial District prosecuting attorney.

At the time of the incident, Hawthorne was the executive director of the Little River Chamber of Commerce in Ashdown, Ark. Hawthorne was later terminated from the position and an investigation was opened.

The records indicated the debit card was used at liquor and tobacco stores. The debit card was issued to Hawthorne on Nov. 29, 2013 and reissued Oct. 15, 2016.

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http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/texarkana/story/2019/apr/11/former-state-representative-pleads-guilty-ashdown/773805/