News Nearby: Former Clarkston Councilwoman Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement

Former Clarkston Councilwoman Joan Swaney has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $60,000 from the local community center. 

Swaney, 67, who also had been the city's vice mayor, served on the Clarkston City Council from 2010 until her resignation in October this year after being indicted by a federal grand jury for fraud. 

She was employed by the Clarkston Community Center from November 2003 until December 2012. "During this time, Swaney was its office manager. Her responsibilities included bookkeeping and other administrative tasks," said U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates in a statement released Monday. 

Swaney forged checks from the CCC and deposited them in her personal account, according to Yates. "She also used the CCC debit card to withdraw cash from the CCC's BB&T bank account, generally withdrawing between $300 and $600 at a time."

Among the personal items she paid for with the Center's funds were $1,424 for a vacation, $3,000 for car repairs, and $1,590 to rent a charter boat, Yates said. 

Sentencing will take place in federal court on March 6, 2014 at 10 a.m.