Trial for former Atlantic Chamber Director delayed again – now set for March 24th

News

February 10th, 2026 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, IA) – A trial for the former Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director who faces multiple felony charges, has been continued (delayed) for another month. Online court records show Judge Richard H. Davidson granted a request for continue the trial for 33-year-old Bailey Linn Smith. Smith was originally set to stand trial January 27th, but that was continued to February 24th, and she will instead appear before a jury in Atlantic at 9:30-a.m., on March 24th. Smith’s pre-trial conference is scheduled to take place March 9th. Bailey 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 over $10,000. Smith entered a written plea of not guilty back in November, and has waived her right to a speedy trial.

As we’ve mentioned previously: Smith resigned from the Chamber on September 15th. She turned herself in to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office on October 8th and was released on bond. According to a criminal complaint, between January 2020 and August 2025, Smith allegedly made 761 personal transactions with Chamber funds totaling $26,913.22, of which $6,632.38 was admitted by Smith. She was charged with Theft in the First Degree for allegedly misappropriating over $10,000.

Smith also allegedly orchestrated a scheme from November 2022 to August 2025, making 47 fraudulent transfers between Chamber bank accounts to cover up her theft. The loss amounted to $76,215, and resulted in the charges of Fraudulent Practice in the First Degree and Ongoing Criminal Conduct.

Additionally, Smith allegedly used Chamber-issued credit cards for approximately $25,065.71 in personal expenses, with $6,632.38 acknowledged by her in a letter to the Chamber Board. She was charged with Unauthorized Use of a Credit Card over $10,000.