SPENCER, IA (Northwestiowanow) – A former Finance Assistant for the City of Spencer is now in custody after turning herself in on a felony warrant.

52-year-old Lavonne Marie Bell of Spencer arrived at the Clay County Jail on Thursday, February 20th at approximately 4:15 p.m. to surrender herself on an active First-Degree Theft warrant.  Authorities say Bell was booked into the jail and held to appear before a magistrate.

Bell’s arrest comes two days after the State of Iowa filed a criminal case against her, following a broader investigation into missing and mishandled funds within the City of Spencer’s finance operations during her employment as a Finance Assistant, a position she held from January 2018 until her dismissal on June 14th, 2024.

A State Auditor’s investigation, requested by city officials, previously identified multiple financial irregularities tied to Bell — including undeposited landfill revenues, improper payroll payouts, and unauthorized credit-card charges.

Investigators reported that Bell admitted to taking the money during interviews. The findings were forwarded to Clay County authorities and state law-enforcement agencies for review.

Bell is now being held on the First-Degree Theft warrant as the case proceeds in Clay County District Court.