OLIVIA, Minn. (AP) — A woman who was publicly calling for the suspension of the Danube police chief for alleged wrongdoing was at the same time using her position as a City Council member to steal rent checks written to the city.

The West Central Tribune reports 59-year-old Sharon Lothert pleaded guilty to felony theft and misconduct by a public official on Friday.

The criminal complaint alleges that while Lothert was on the council and was president of the city economic development agency, she deposited some checks to the city into her personal account.

City officials estimate about $20,000 was taken from August 2009 to December 2010.

Earlier this year, Lothert resigned from the City Council and moved out of the community. The allegations that the police chief misused funds were eventually dismissed.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)