Ex-director pleads guilty in SHA theft

The former executive director of Superior Housing Authority pleaded guilty Thursday in Douglas County Circuit Court to making thousands of dollars worth of personal purchases on the organization’s credit card.

Debra L. Waterman, 51, pleaded guilty to both counts on amended information filed in the Douglas Clerk of Courts office Thursday – one count of felony theft and one count misdemeanor theft – for racking up $10,000 in personal purchases on the agency’s credit card from 2007 until September 2008.

A deferred judgment of conviction agreement was entered into for the felony charge. Conditions of that agreement include paying $10,000 restitution to the housing authority and undergoing a personal counseling evaluation. If Waterman successfully completes probation for the misdemeanor charge, the felony charge would be dismissed.

Assistant District Attorney Jim Boughner told Judge George Glonek the housing authority owed Waterman more than $10,000 in back wages and the agency would retain that money as restitution.

Waterman’s attorney, Stephen Bick, noted her guilty pleas did not prevent the Superior Housing Authority from filing a civil claim, nor did it prevent Waterman from being able to defend against any civil claim.

Sentencing for the misdemeanor theft count was set for Jan. 28. The charge carries a maximum penalty of nine months jail and a fine of up to $10,000.

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