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Former HOF Employee Accepts Plea Deal In Fraud Case

Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame

A former official at the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame has pleaded guilty to a federal fraud charge after auditors found a $118,300 shortfall.

Jennifer W. Smith pleaded guilty to a single count of access device fraud.

Sentencing guidelines suggest she'll face about a year in prison. A plea agreement says Smith must make $70,000 in restitution in 45 days.

Prosecutors said the 47-year-old abused a Hall of Fame credit card for a 5-1/2 year period ending in November 2012. Smith was fired last December.

An audit showed she used the credit card for clothes and meals. Arkansas Business reported Friday defense attorney Erin Cassinelli wouldn't explain the former assistant executive director's motive.

Cassinelli expects a separate theft charge in Pulaski County to be dropped because of Smith's plea.