(Atlantic, IA) – A judge in the case of former Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bailey Smith, Wednesday (Nov. 12th), set her trial date in Cass County District Court, as Jan. 27, 2026, beginning at 9:30-a.m.  The 33-year-old Smith waived her preliminary hearing. Judge Jennifer Benson-Bahr set Smith’s arraignment for 9-a.m. Dec. 8th, and a Pre-Trial Conference will be held on Jan. 12th, beginning at 9-a.m.

An arrest warrant for Smith was issued on Oct. 8th, the same day she turned herself-in on felony charges that include: Ongoing criminal conduct – unlawful activity; 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). Bailey Smith posted 10-percent of a $100,000 bond on Oct. 8th, and was released pending her court proceedings.

Bailey Smith (2023 file photo)

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.