OGALLALA, Neb. (AP) — The former Keith County attorney has been given three years of probation for stealing Keith County money.

Blake Edwards was sentenced on Wednesday. He’d been convicted of one theft charge and acquitted of two more in Keith County.

Edwards and his wife, Shirley, were charged in January 2011 with theft. Prosecutors said more than $18,000 in Keith County diversion program funds was taken or mishandled. His wife had worked in the county attorney’s office.

Blake Edwards said the money was used to purchase office equipment for the diversion program and to pay his office staff and wife for diversion program-related work not covered by their wages.

The charges against his wife were dropped.

Blake Edwards later found work as Dundy County attorney.