ATLANTIC, IOWA – Another woman Iowa chamber of commerce director has been arrested and charged with a swath of serious felony charges, authorities say, joining a growing list of female crooks that look important but allegedly just like to rip off their employers.
Bailey Smith of Atlantic, Iowa, was arrested by the Cass county sheriff’s department in connection to the alleged crime spree she committed at the local chamber of commerce as their “executive director.” Smith is charged with:
- Ongoing criminal conduct (a class b felony)
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Unlawful activity, fraudulent practice first degree, (a class c felony)
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First-degree theft (a class c felony)
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Unauthorized use of credit card over $10,000 (a class c felony)
Smith (pictured at top) now awaits an upcoming court date this month.
Smith joins a not-so-prestigious list of alleged greedy female crooks who rose to leadership roles at these questionable agencies and ended up allegedly stealing their employers blind:
- Melisa Ginae Cox, former CEO of the Ankeny Chamber of Commerce
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Rebecca Ethel Olson, former Director of the Garner Chamber of Commerce
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Leah Rae Mulholland, Financial and Administrative Assistant at the Webster City Chamber of Commerce
According to a statement from the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce:
Former Executive Director Bailey Smith was arrested pursuant to a warrant issued by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. On August 29, 2025, the Chamber Board placed Ms. Smith on unpaid administrative leave after concerns arose regarding financial matters. Following its internal review, the Board ended her employment on September 15, 2025. The Chamber has fully cooperated with law enforcement throughout this process. “Our duty as a Board is to protect the Chamber and act in the best interests of our members and community,” said Board President Anne Quist. “We took immediate action to address concerns, completed a thorough review, and have acted promptly to ensure the integrity and stability of the organization moving forward.” Details regarding the arrest, charges, and proceedings are being handled by law enforcement and the courts. The Chamber will not be commenting further while this legal process is ongoing. The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce has served as a cornerstone of the community for decades, supporting local businesses, fostering economic growth, and promoting the vitality of Atlantic. The organization remains strong and will continue to serve as an important and trusted part of the community. Chamber operations continue without interruption under the direction of the Board and Program Director Kelsey Beschorner.