Wyoming mayor resigns after charge of misusing her office

EVANSVILLE, Wyo. (AP) - A Wyoming mayor resigned after being charged with using police department records for her personal benefit.

Evansville Mayor Jennifer Sorenson resigned Monday after being charged by prosecutors with a single misdemeanor count of misuse of office last week, The Casper Star-Tribune reported.

Charging documents filed by Assistant District Attorney Mike Blonigen said Sorenson asked an Evansville police officer to use department software to conduct background checks on potential job candidates at Atlantic Aviation in Casper, where she was the general manager.

The officer, Matt McGraw, was placed on administrative leave earlier this year amid allegations of prescription drug use. He has also been charged with one count of misuse of office and two counts of drug possession.

Neither Sorenson nor her attorney, Frank Chapman, returned calls seeking comment Monday. Chapman previously said Sorenson was not connected to any illegal drug use.

The Evansville Town Council accepted Sorenson's letter of resignation at a meeting Monday night and appointed Councilman Chad Edwards as the new mayor.