Former director of TV station to plead guilty in embezzlement

The former director of Carson Access Television is expected to plead guilty in the misappropriation of nearly $500,000 of the station's money.

Craig Swope waived his preliminary hearing Friday in anticipation of pleading to one count of embezzlement, said Deputy District Attorney Anne Langer. She said four additional counts will be dismissed.

Both sides will be free to argue for a sentence, which could be anywhere from probation to 10 years in prison. Swope will also be required to pay about $80,000 in restitution, Langer said.

Calls to both Swope and his attorney Jason Woodbury went unreturned Friday.

According to the charging document, Swope wrote himself duplicate payroll checks and used CAT 10 funds "for his own personal use and benefit," between January 1999 to June 2003,

In December 2002, non-sufficient fund charges began to appear monthly, eventually ending in June with a total $2,268, an exhibit attached to the complaint shows.

Within the complaint, each original count represented each year Swope allegedly misappropriated money:

n Count 1 for 1999 shows approximately $39,565 embezzled, with $28,953 repaid leaving a balance of $10,612.

n Count 2 for 2000 shows approximately $63,402 embezzled, with $52,846 repaid leaving a balance of $10,556.

n Count 3 for 2001 shows approximately $56,598 embezzled, with $15,780 repaid leaving a balance of $40,818.

n Count 4 for 2002 shows approximately $145,858 embezzled, with $136,738 repaid leaving a balance of $9,119.

n Count 5 for 2003 shows approximately $191,032 embezzled, with $184,648 repaid leaving a balance of $6,383.

In June 2003, Swope allegedly told the nonprofit station's board members he'd been using money from the business account for several months because of a gambling problem.

At that time, about $5,000 was awaiting payment because of non-sufficient funds.

An audit of the station's account uncovered dozens of checks made out in Swope's name, the exhibit shows.

CAT 10 is contracted by the city to record and broadcast public meetings. It also provides public service broadcasts of community events, locally produced programs and announcements.

Contact F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.