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News brief: Trial for Lewis County museum embezzlement case may be unnecessary

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Instead of a trial as expected this week for the former director of the Lewis County Historical Museum arrested after the discovery the endowment fund of more than $460,000 was drained, attorneys are attempting to work out a plea deal.

“We’re hoping we can resolve it by Thursday,” Lewis County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead said today.

Deborah Sue Knapp, 53, was charged with multiple counts of first-degree theft in December 2011.

Prosecutors alleged Knapp routinely issued herself extra pay through payroll draws and used the museum debit card for personal expenses.

She is scheduled to appear before a judge on Thursday when attorneys plan to either have a deal in place, or schedule a new trial date, Halstead said.

Knapp has pleaded not guilty and is free on an unsecured bond.

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For background, see “Prosecutor: Former museum director gave herself thousands of dollars in fraudulent payroll draws” from Friday December 30, 2011, here [1]