Woman accused of stealing from trust fund

An Iowa City woman was accused of first-degree theft after she used more than $30,000 from a trust fund for her own personal and business expenses, court records show.

Deputies say 64-year-old Patricia Ann Miller, of 1010 Scott Park Drive No. 305, was the only trustee of a fund valued around $60,000 and is said to have been writing herself checks since September 2000.

According to the report, Miller was the only person authorized to cut checks from the account, which had not been registered in her benefit. Iowa City police report that Miller used the money for business rent, credit card payments, supplies and her wages.

According to the report, Miller admitted to spending more than $30,350 without approval, but said she hoped to pay the money back.