A senior administrative assistant at the Vernon County Clerk of Courts office in Viroqua has been charged with theft of over $4,500 from the office.

According to the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, Nathena Nelson, 31, Viroqua, was charged June 3 with one count of theft in a business setting.

The Vernon County Broadcaster in Viroqua reported that after two interviews in April, Nelson told Sheriff’s Investigator Matthew Sutton she had used $4,520–the amount of a June 19, 2014, bank deposit for the clerk of courts office that was never made–to pay personal expenses.

“[Nelson] said she had intended to repay the money, but was never able to repay any of it,” according to the criminal complaint.

Theft in a business setting is a  Class I felony, punishable by six years in prison or fines of up to $10,000.

Because Nelson is employed by Vernon County, the case has been referred to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for special prosecution.