In early May of 2012, the Mammoth Lakes Police Department started an investigation when a local victim reported that a large sum of money was missing from personal and corporate accounts which were managed by their bookkeeper, Susan Hicks. Shortly after that, police arrested Hicks.  Officers said follow-up investigation revealed that the suspect had at least sixteen additional clients in Mammoth Lakes and surrounding areas.  Ms. Hicks was booked at the Mono County Jail on allegations of forgery, embezzlement and grand theft.  Below is today’s press release from Mono County District Attorney Tim Kendall on the disposition of Ms. Hicks’ case. 

Susan Hicks

Susan Hicks

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

October 31, 2013

Long-time Mammoth Lakes resident, Susan Lyn Hicks, now a resident of Crowley, was charged in June 2013, with 290 felony counts of Forgery and 1 count of First Degree Burglary for crimes she committed during January 1, 2006 through May of 2012. 

Mono County District Attorney Investigators conducted a lengthy financial investigation involving Mrs. Hicks, who was a professional book-keeper and was fraudulently stealing from clients by forging client checks for her own personal benefit.  The investigation revealed Mrs. Hick stealing from multiple victims in amounts exceeding $500,000.00.

On June 24, 2013, Mrs. Hicks plead guilty to 287 felony counts of forgery.  3 counts of forgery were dismissed by the District Attorney and the single count of First Degree Burglary was bifurcated from the plea and will be set for jury trial sometime in 2014.  Under the new sentencing guidelines for realignment, none of the 287 felony forgery counts qualify for custody in the state prison system.  

As a result of her plea, Mrs. Hick was sentenced on October, 28, 2013, by Judge Magit on the 287 felony counts.  Judge Magit sentenced Mrs. Hicks to 14 years and 4 months to be split-up under the new sentencing guidelines.  Mrs. Hicks will serve 8 years in our local jail, serving as the state prison, and 6 years, 4 months to be served on Mandatory Supervision.  Mandatory Supervision will be under the Mono County Probation department, who now also serves the local role equivalent to parole at the state level for state prison sentences.

Mrs. Hicks could be transfer to the state system to serve her custody time, and any additional time, if she is convicted of the 1 remaining count of First Degree Burglary.

Mrs. Hick was remanded into custody and is currently in the Mono County Jail.   

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