The sentencing of Laveta Diane Miller that was set for Friday, May 8, is now scheduled for 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2.
The sentencing hearing was rescheduled at the request of her court-appointed attorney, Robert A. Anderson Sr. of Ellinwood. Barton County Attorney Douglas Matthews did not object.

On March 9, a jury found Miller guilty of  two counts of theft by deception, each for amounts greater than $25,000 but less than $100,000.  The money was taken from Central Prairie RC&D accounts between March 1, 2009, and July 31, 2012. Central Prairie oversaw a program that raised money to give Kansas veterans expense-paid trips to Washington, D.C. World War II veterans received top priority for the Honor Flights, allowing them to see their memorial and other sights.

Miller became the director of Central Prairie Honor Flights, and prosecutors said she diverted funds into her own accounts. She also paid two people more money than her board of directors had authorized. A total of 65 checks were identified during Miller’s trial, totaling more than $100,000 stolen from Central Prairie.

The county attorney has asked that she be sentenced to 25 months, which is the maximum allowed under the guidelines. While she would normally be placed on probation, Matthews filed a motion seeking an “upward dispositional departure.” That means he has asked Barton County District Judge Ron Svaty to sentence Miller to prison instead of probation.
May 8 was the regular day for sentencing cases in Barton County District Court. Anderson asked that Miller’s sentencing hearing be done separately, at a special setting for that purpose. Anderson also said he needed time to prepare a response to the county attorney’s motion for the upward departure.