(Atlantic, IA) – An attorney for former director Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Director Bailey Smith, today (Wednesday), entered a written plea of Not Guilty on her behalf to multiple felony charges associated with her arrest that took place on October 8th, after she turned herself-in on a warrant. Smith also waived a speedy trial. As previously mentioned, Smith is set to be arraigned on December 8th. Trial in her case was set for January 12th in Cass County District Court.

The 33-year-old Smith faces a Class-B  Felony charge of Ongoing criminal conduct – unlawful activity, and Class-C Felony charges that include: Theft in the 1st Degree; Fraudulent Practice in the 1st Degree, and Unauthorized use of a Credit Card (for a loss of more than $10,000). Smith remains free on bond pending her court proceedings, which includes a Pre-trial conference on January 12th.

Bailey Smith booking photo, 10/8/25

Previously reported:

• Court documents state that between January 2020 and August 2025, while serving as the Executive Director of the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, Smith made approximately 761 personal transactions with chamber funds. These transactions reportedly totaled $26,913 of losses to the chamber. Smith allegedly admitted to $6,632 of theft to the chamber board in a letter, court records show.
• Between the dates of November 2022 and August 2025, Smith began knowingly making entries into the record of the chamber that she knew were false to make the chamber general account appear solvent and to pay bills that should have been paid with funds that were misappropriated, to allegedly cover her theft of chamber funds, court documents state.
• According to court records during this time period Bailey made approximately 47 bank transfers between the chamber’s four bank accounts which totaled approximately $76,215.
• Smith reportedly admitted in a letter to the chamber board that she had transferred money from the chamber RAGBRAI account and that it had not been “moved back to where it belonged” and that the money “should have never been moved in the first place,” court documents state.

The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce said Smith had been placed on unpaid administrative leave August 29, 2025, due to concerns over financial matters. An internal review that was conducted resulted in her termination, and subsequent charges.