Latest news with #AmandaDeVos
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Change of venue granted for embattled Madison County Treasurer, upcoming trial moved to Boone County
WINTERSET, Iowa – The upcoming trial against embattled Madison County Treasurer Amanda DeVos, 37, has been moved to Boone County. Hours after delaying a trial hearing on May 19, an attorney for DeVos filed a motion for a change of venue, citing 'extensive media coverage and publicity' following her late January arrest for alleged Felonious Misconduct in Office, Tampering with Records, Fraudulent Practice in the third degree, and third-degree Theft. Motion-for-Change-of-Venue-250519-DeVosDownload The motion was granted on Thursday, with the new venue set for Boone County, about an hour from the courthouse in Winterset where the trial had originally been planned. A trial date for the criminal case had not been officially filed, according to court records. DeVos has been free from jail since posting a $5,000 surety bond shortly after she was arrested for allegedly using her access as county treasurer to alter government records to make it look like she paid for her vehicle registration plates when she had not. DeVos pleaded not guilty. Roughly three weeks later, the Polk County Sheriff's Office announced additional charges were pending against DeVos for an entirely different criminal scenario allegedly involving her property taxes. DeVos is represented by Timothy McCarthy, II, of McCarthy & Hamrock. Her application for a public defender had been denied due to an incomplete application form because she did not disclose what her income was, according to court records. Devos was making $78,787.13 after getting a 3.57% raise, according to online public records posted by the Iowa State Association of Counties. DeVos waived her right to a preliminary hearing in February, around the same time she was temporarily relieved of her duties by the Madison County Board of Supervisors. A new treasurer was appointed. However, due to her position as an elected official, the BOS does not have the power to officially remove DeVos from office, and she was reportedly still collecting her salary and county-supplied benefits for months after her arrest. According to County Attorney Stephen Swanson, DeVos had refused to resign from the position, which forced him to file a Ch. 66 petition in April to have her forcefully removed from the office. He also petitioned for an injunction that would prohibit her from being paid by the county. A judge granted the pause on her salary payments. A Trial Scheduling Conference in that case is scheduled for July 18 at 9 a.m. in Madison County. DeVos has not been charged in connection with the apparent mishandling of county funds, which appears to have plagued nearly every municipality and school district in Madison County. After her arrest, WHO 13 confirmed the City of Winterset received more than $250,000 in funds due for other municipalities and discovered that late property tax payments to the Winterset Community School District forced it to withdraw funds from investment opportunities to cover payroll multiple times. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ex-Madison County Treasurer to be back in court Monday in theft, records tampering case
DES MOINES, Iowa — Former Madison County Treasurer Amanda DeVos is due in court Monday for a pre-trial hearing. Back in January, DeVos was arrested for alleged misconduct in office, tampering with records, and third-degree theft, among other charges. Criminal complaints filed in the case claim she used her access as county treasurer to alter documents to make it look like she paid the $758 registration fee for her vehicle when she hadn't. Scientists studying gravity waves in Des Moines Roughly a month later, the Madison County Sheriff's Office announced similar criminal charges were being filed against her in connection with property taxes owed by DeVos for 2023/2024. DeVos was relieved of her duties after a vote during a Madison County Board of Supervisors meeting in February, however it appears she continued to collect her salary for more than two months until a petition to formally remove her from office was filed in April. Pending litigation, county officials have since been ordered not to pay DeVos' $80,000 salary and benefits. A public hearing about this other matter is scheduled for July 18th. The pretrial hearing is being held at the Madison County Courthouse in Winterset at 9:30 a.m. Monday. Public safety leaders across Iowa to discuss impact of 911 systems charge Scholastic Spotlight: Griff visits Norwalk classroom Ex-Madison County Treasurer to be back in court Monday in theft, records tampering case Scientists studying gravity waves in Des Moines 107-year-old man finally receives high school diploma Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Altoona family's home destroyed in morning fire
ALTOONA, Iowa — An Altoona family's home was destroyed in a fire on Friday morning. The Altoona Fire Department responded to a report of a house fire in the 100 block of 21st Street SW at around 10:16 a.m. The fire department said neighbors reported hearing a loud explosion near the home. When firefighters arrived at the scene they found flames and smoke coming from a rear window. The fire department said the fire was quickly extinguished and was contained to one room and the attic space above it. However, the entirety of the home sustained significant heat and smoke damage, the fire department said. Madison County Attorney files petition to formally remove Treasurer Amanda DeVos from office A family of three — two adults and one child — and their pet cat resided at the home. The adults and child weren't home when the fire broke out. Firefighters managed to locate the cat and said it appears to be doing well. According to the fire department, the explosion that neighbors heard was likely caused by a phenomenon called a backdraft, which is the abrupt burning of superheated gases in a fire that occurs when oxygen is introduced into an oxygen-deprived environment. This can occur when a fire is in an enclosed space and a window or door is opened or broken. The fire department said no injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation. The Altoona Fire Department was assisted by the Des Moines, Pleasant Hill, and Ankeny fire departments and the Altoona Police Department. Metro News: A local Easter candy staple, Chocolate Storybook, busy this holiday weekend Altoona family's home destroyed in morning fire The happiest room in Des Moines? It might be Drake's Peggy's — again Ankeny neighborhood faces possible rezoning, plans for Walmart Iowa State notes First Amendment Week Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
