Former Court Clerk Pleads Guilty in Greenlee County Embezzlement

(Phoenix, Ariz. – June 4, 2007) Attorney General Terry Goddard today announced that Christian Correlejo, 42, a former clerk for a Greenlee County Justice Court and the City of Clifton Magistrates Court, pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $55,000 from both courts.

According to the plea agreement, Correlejo, of Lordsburg, New Mexico, took money from the two courts between January 2000 and May 2006. She resigned her position in May 2006. An investigation revealed Correlejo pocketed cash when residents would pay for fines, defensive driving courses and other types of court fees and penalties.

Correlejo appeared today before Greenlee County Superior Court Judge Pro Tem Charles Sanders and pleaded guilty to one count of theft, a felony charge. Her next court appearance is scheduled for July 9 to address the issue of restitution. She faces a maximum of 12.5 years in prison and up to $150,000 in restitution and costs for the investigation. Assistant Attorney General John Evans is prosecuting this case.