Your article stating that “[h]e was mayor of Eagle at the time of the alleged offenses” seems to be the norm as far as journalism goes here in Idaho when it comes to Yzaguirre (i.e., handling him with kid gloves). He admitted (in writing in the Idaho Statesman and in several public statements) to converting state sales tax money, lottery funds, and fish & game monies for his personal use. In addition, your statement that those taxes and fees were “owed to” state agencies helps to minimize Yzaguirre’s crimes. According to Idaho State law, those monies are collected for, not owed to, state agencies: “[a]ll [sales tax] moneys collected by retailers…shall, immediately upon collection, be state money and every such retailer shall hold such money for the state of Idaho and for payment to the state tax commission” and “[e]very officer charged with the receipt, safe keeping or disbursement of public moneys who neglects or fails to keep and pay over the same in the manner prescribed by law, is guilty of felony.” The law goes on to state that any “officer of this state” (which Yzaguirre was – as Mayor) who “appropriates” public moneys “to his own use,” or “having the possession or control of any public money, makes a profit out of” the misappropriation of public moneys, or “willfully refuses or omits to pay over, any public moneys,” is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for not less than one (1) year nor more than ten (10) years, and is disqualified from holding any office in this state.”

In other words, doing ANYTHING with those monies other than turning them over to the agencies they belong to is a FELONY and Yzaguirre should be held accountable.