From collection Candidates
Nettie A. Willits was elected as City Clerk for San Bruno, San Mateo County, California in 1918. She served in the office through most of the following decade. After twelve years in office the City of San Bruno charged Willits with embezzlement of over $2,700 from city tax funds. By the 1920s the City Clerk also served as Deputy Tax Collector and Deputy Marshall to collect taxes. In her first trial Willits pleaded guilty to the charges, and was placed on probation by the court, and required to repay the missing funds. Two months later Willits was again in court, charged with refusing to make repayments. In the second court hearing, Willits pleaded not guilty and charged city officials with a political frameup. In a 1931 court case the city attempted to collect the bond Willits had posted when previously elected to the City Clerk position in 1927.
