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Elbert Official On Leave Amid Embezzlement Charges

KIOWA, Colo. (AP) - An Elbert County official facing embezzlement and other charges has been placed on paid leave of absence.

The Denver Post reports that the commissioners took the action on Wednesday in the case of assessor Phyllis Jean "P.J." Trostel.

Trostel, 53, was indicted Sept. 10 on 28 counts of embezzlement, forgery, theft and perjury. She is accused of stealing prize money intended for county fair participants and using county money for thousands of dollars in personal purchases.

Commissioners also canceled her county credit card, barred her access to county financial accounts and removed her from the fair board.

Trostel requested the leave of absence. She didn't attend Wednesday's meeting, and no phone number could be found for her.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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