From Staff Reports

A federal judge on Aug. 10 accepted a guilty plea from Ellen Frost, a former member of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, during a hearing in Asheville.

“Frost pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States,” Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) reported. “The other charges against her, which included five counts of converts to own use property of another and five counts of fraud and swindles will be dropped.”

The hearing, which lasted about 20 minutes, featured Frost answering the judge’s questions in short sentences concerning her understanding of the plea and the charges against her.

“As part of the agreement she reached with the US Attorney’s Office, Frost will be able to appeal her request that the charges be dismissed once she is sentenced,” News 13 noted. “A previous request that all charges be dismissed by the courts was rejected. Her attorney Anthony Scheer expects to file that appeal at a later date.

“Both the government and Frost’s legal team have recommended the judge consider home confinement instead of prison time, although sentencing is ultimately the judge’s decision.

“Frost could be sentenced before the end of the year. The maximum sentence for the charge is five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. Frost could also be ordered to pay restitution.

“Buncombe County has filed a civil case against Frost and former Buncombe County manager Wanda Greene. Greene is named as a co-conspirator in the federal case, but was not criminally charged. Both are named in the civil suit filed by Buncombe County to recoup the funds,” News 13 reported.