May 21 sentencing set for Arkansas ex-legislator

TEXARKANA -- Fonda Hawthorne, a former Arkansas state representative who pleaded guilty last week to a theft-of-property charge for making several thousand dollars in unauthorized purchases on the Little River Chamber of Commerce debit card, will be sentenced next month.

Ninth Judicial Circuit Judge Charles Yeargan will sentence Hawthorne on 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, 9th Judicial Circuit prosecuting attorney.

At the time of the incident, Hawthorne was the executive director of the Little River Chamber of Commerce in Ashdown. Hawthorne was later fired 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.

Read more: https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2019/apr/14/may-21-sentencing-set-for-ex-legislator/