By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
A former Ellis County District Court Administrator was charged with nine counts of felony identity fraud after allegedly using electronic signatures to sign performance evaluations for court staff, according to the charging affidavit, which was released Wednesday.
According to the affidavit, Amanda Marie Truan's alleged use of the electronic signatures was discovered during an Office of Judicial Administration audit in October.
Truan is no longer an employee of the judicial district.
The employees were not aware nor did they authorize the submission of the evaluations or the use of their electronic signatures on the evaluation, according to the affidavit.
Kayla Acosta, who became the Ellis County District Court Clerk in May 2021, told investigators she did not recall having an evaluation since 2018.
The employee evaluations are used as performance indicators for each employee by the Office of Judicial Administration. The employee's evaluation has a direct effect on the employee's job and whether the employee will receive any type of wage enhancements or promotions.
Each count of identity fraud is punishable by up to 23 months in prison and/or up to a $100,000 fine.
The case is being prosecuted by the Kansas Attorney General's Office.
Truan has bonded out of jail and is scheduled to appear in court for a status conference at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 9 in Ellis County District Court.