The former clerk for the City of Onaway is currently sought under an arrest warrant for allegedly misappropriating a substantial amount of taxpayer funds.

Bridget Bailey has been charged with felony misuse of public funds in Latah County Second District Court in Moscow. An investigation began in January when Bailey reportedly attempted to deposit a city check into her personal bank account at the Latah Credit Union in Potlatch. This action prompted the bank to inform Onaway Mayor Sharon Shaffer, especially after unusual purchases on the city’s debit card came to light. Consequently, the Onaway City Council convened an emergency meeting and terminated Bailey’s employment in January.

According to court documents, Bailey informed Mayor Shaffer that her use of the city’s debit card for personal expenses was accidental. In a subsequent interview with a Latah County Sheriff’s Deputy in March, Bailey reportedly acknowledged that she spent taxpayer funds on personal items and expressed her intention to reimburse the city. The records indicate that Bailey allegedly embezzled nearly $7,500 from Onaway taxpayer funds between November 2022 and December of the same year.

Currently, Bailey is employed by the Potlatch School District and is listed as a JR./SR. High School Paraprofessional on the district’s official website.

Bailey did not appear for her initial court hearing on Monday morning and is now wanted under an arrest warrant, as reflected in online court records.