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WATERLOO | The operator of a homeless shelter has pleaded guilty to misappropriating thousands of dollars.

Joni Kay Hansen, 60, of the Cedar Valley Hospitality House, entered Alford pleas to charges of first- and second-degree theft Monday morning in Black Hawk County District Court. An Alford plea means Hansen didn’t admit guilt but agreed she would likely be convicted if the matter went to trial.

“The Alford plea has a lot to do with the fact that the amount is somewhat in dispute, but rather than slugging our way through the rest of that, Ms. Hansen is at a point where she is willing to enter an Alford plea on those charges,” said defense attorney Kevin Engels.

The plea came without any agreements between the defense and prosecutors.

Located at 1003 Mulberry St., Cedar Valley Hospitality House is a nonprofit organization that has provided daytime services such as laundry, showers and meals for the homeless since 2009. Hansen is the director, president and treasurer, according to corporation records.

Authorities allege Hansen used the organization’s ATM card to withdraw $42,931 at the Isle Casino Hotel between 2010 and 2012.