Former Reno councilwoman released from probation

Sunday, Feb. 8, 2004 | 1:12 a.m.

RENO, Nev. - A former Reno councilwoman convicted of conspiring to steal campaign funds has been discharged from probation.

Washoe District Judge James Hardesty granted the discharge to Sherrie Doyle on Friday, only three days after she made full payment of her court-ordered restitution.

Doyle smiled and joked with her probation officer after the short hearing but declined comment.

State prosecutors had intended to ask a judge to revoke her probation for failure to pay $2,500 in restitution and perform 40 hours of community service.

But Hardesty ordered the probation to end after her last-minute compliance with the terms. She not only paid the $2,500, but completed 40 hours with the Nevada Humane Society.

Doyle was indicted by a grand jury in March 2002 and charged with 16 felony counts of stealing from her 1998 and 1999 campaign contributions.

Prosecutors said she took $10,000 and misused another $5,000. In a plea bargain, Doyle agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit theft, a gross misdemeanor.

Doyle was repeatedly admonished for failure to comply with terms of her probation, but she refused to follow through, according to court records.

On Wednesday, the former Ward 4 councilwoman turned in an affidavit to the court with receipts showing she had fulfilled the terms. Her one-year probation was due to end this week.

Doyle, a single mother, said her 7-year-old daughter, Emily, had been seriously ill and required surgery last week.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Robert Wieland, who prosecuted her, also declined comment after the hearing.

Information from: Reno Gazette-Journal