Estherville, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — After four years a former Armstrong City Clerk arrested on criminal charges has been given a deferred jail sentence. Jodie Lang was charged by the Iowa Attorney General’s office in February of 2021 with 1st degree fraud, three counts of felonious misconduct in office, two counts of falsifying public records, and two counts of tampering with public records.

Lang pled guilty to one count each of felonious misconduct in office and falsifying public documents to avoid a jury trial.

Judge Adam Miller has suspended the sentence, giving Lang three years’ probation, a 750 dollar fine on each count, and he has ordered her to reimburse the county for her court-appointed attorney. The lawyer had requested the suspension saying Lang had cooperated with investigators.

Four other Armstrong officials were charged as a result of the same investigation, two other clerks, a former mayor, and the former police chief.