Vinton Today – A woman from Elberon sentenced to 2 years in prison for theft from the Town of Clutier

Former Clutier city clerk sentenced to nearly two years in federal prison for city theft

A woman who previously worked as the town clerk for the town of Clutier, Iowa, and committed wire fraud to steal from the town was sentenced today to nearly two years in federal prison.

Keri Kopriva, 44, of Elberon, Iowa, was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty on October 26, 2023, to one count of wire fraud.

Information from a plea agreement and during sentencing showed that Kopriva worked as a municipal clerk for the town of Clutier between January 2016 and December 2018. During this period, Kopriva stole money from the city ​​in a variety of ways, including sending checks to herself and family members, using city credit cards for personal expenses, and pocketing money intended for utility payments from city citizens. Information collected during sentencing showed that over nearly three years, Kopriva stole more than $107,000 from the city.

Kopriva was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by Chief U.S. District Court Judge CJ Williams. Kopriva was sentenced to 21 months in prison. She was ordered to pay more than $108,000 in restitution to the City of Clutier. must also serve three years of supervised release following the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Kopriva is being held by the United States Marshal until she can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.