Huntsville – State Representative Sue Schmitz has pleaded not guilty to a nine-count federal indictment charging her with mail fraud and theft.
Schmitz, who is 63, entered the plea at an arraignment Friday in Huntsville. The arraignment had been scheduled for Monday, but was held earlier because one of her lawyers had trial starting today, The Huntsville Times Web site reported.
Federal prosecutors say the charges against Schmitz, of Toney, stem from her involvement with the Community Intensive Training for Youth (CITY) Program, a federally funded program, in Huntsville.
The federal charges state that Schmitz held the title of program coordinator for community and external affairs for nearly four years and drew a salary and benefits despite performing little or no work.
Schmitz is free on a $25,000 unsecured bond.
Her trial has been scheduled to start April 7th.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)