Avoca town clerk charged with misdemeanor
BY JOHN ZICK THE LEADER

AVOCA - One day after she was re-elected, Avoca Town Clerk Kim Jackson was arrested, accused of official mismanagement and wrongdoing.

Jackson, 47, of Grant Street, Avoca, was charged with a single count of misdemeanor offering a false instrument for filing, a crime punishable by up to a year in jail.

According to Bath state police, Jackson knowingly filed a false report indicating one of the town's grant projects was completed during its intended time frame.

Also, a state audit report said Jackson mismanaged the grant.

The $14,700 grant was to be used between Aug. 1, 2005- July 31, 2006, for the inventory, organization and destruction of records maintained by the town, state police said. The work was to be done during non-business hours.

On Aug. 21, 2006, Jackson submitted a report stating the project was complete.

State police said the project had not been completed July 31, 2006, and Jackson knowingly filed false statements.

The state police investigation began after state auditors learned more than half the grant was improperly used to compensate Jackson and assessor's clerk Karen Pragle for work done during their normal work hours.

Pragle, an appointed official, was fired in August. Jackson is an elected official and can only be removed from office under certain circumstances. Her job status was unclear Wednesday.

Jackson was issued an appearance ticket and released. She is scheduled to appear in Avoca Town Court at 3 p.m. Nov. 19.