Former foundation employee

awaits trial

Audrey Fay waives right to a preliminary hearing; trial date not yet set

By Krisse Mansfield

A former Fresno State employee waived her right to a preliminary hearing Thursday in one of several court dates stemming from accusations of embezzlement last November.

Audrey Fay’s decision to waive the right to a preliminary hearing allows any additional charges reasonably related to the crime to be brought against her in court, visiting Judge Dennis Scott said. Fay plead not guilty to charges of grand theft and embezzlement.

Fay worked as an accounting supervisor for the Fresno Foundation, which manages all financial activities for grants, scholarships, contracts, loans, gifts and donations. An annual audit found Fay had written checks payable to herself and her husband then deposited them into her personal checking account.

She is accused of embezzling $192,000 between Sept. 13, 2001 and June 13, 2003.

Fay’s lawyer, Stephen Quade, was unavailable at press time. Fay declined to comment on the case.

Victims Services specialist Gwen Pfost said there are numerous reasons why people choose to waive their right to a preliminary hearing.

“ If someone has a preliminary in which they introduce evidence to the court, they [the defendant] have to respond to that evidence in their trial,” Pfost said. “A lot of times defendants don’t want those witnesses to come and testify against them so they can’t use the evidence they present in court. Then again, they could just be trying to buy time.”

Fay’s next arraignment is set for 8:30 a.m. at the Fresno County Courthouse on March 5.