Ex-Lawrence Mayor to Change Plea in Embezzlement Case

A former Lawrence mayor charged with stealing money from his old job as executive director at a food pantry plans to change his plea.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that Jeremy Farmer has notified the court of his plans after pleading not guilty last week to one charge of interstate travel of embezzled funds. Defense attorney John Cowles said last week that Farmer had intended to plead guilty but wanted more time to consider his options.

Prosecutors say Farmer, who was hired as executive director of Just Food in 2011, embezzled money from the nonprofit Lawrence food agency beginning in 2013 and ending in 2015. He is accused of taking more than $55,000 in funds.

Farmer now lives in Kansas City, Kansas. A new hearing is scheduled for Sept. 28.