A Rapid City woman accused of stealing nearly $50,000 from a law firm's trust account has now been indicted on eight counts of bank fraud, eight counts of wire fraud and four counts of mail fraud.

Tanya Tennyson, 31, pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court to the 20-count indictment, which supersedes an indictment filed in April 2007 that charged Tennyson with one count of bank fraud.

Prosecutors believe Tennyson stole nearly $50,000 between May 1, 2006, and Oct. 16, 2006, while working for the Costello, Porter, Hill, Heisterkamp, Bushnell & Carpenter law firm. The alleged theft involved the firm's trust account at Pioneer Bank & Trust, according to federal court documents.

Law firms establish trust accounts to handle client money, such as advance payment for legal services or money received in settlements. The accounts are meant to separate client money from the law firm's general account funds.

Tennyson allegedly obtained unauthorized signatures on the law firm's trust account checks, entered her personal bank account numbers in the memo section of each check and deposited the money into her own bank accounts.

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, each of the 20 counts filed against Tennyson carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine upon conviction. Tennyson was released on bond pending trial Sept. 2.

Contact Heidi Bell Gease at 394-8419 or heidi.bell@rapidcityjournal.com