Wyoming journalist faces 10 more forgery charges in alleged homebuying scheme

A Wyoming journalist faces 10 new felony charges accusing her of forging documents that falsely showed she had received a loan and grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a Chugwater home she sought to purchase. Platte County prosecutors charged April Marie Morganroth with five counts of forgery and five counts of possession of forged writing. Each forgery charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.

Morganroth already faces 10 other charges for allegedly forging documents to oppose a proposed wind farm in the Chugwater area and lying under oath. She has worked as a reporter for the Platte County Record-Times, as a freelance reporter covering the Wyoming Legislature for Oil City News and Cap City News, and was the owner of 307 Wyoming Sentinel.

According to court documents, Morganroth told homeowners she wanted to buy their property and was prequalified for a USDA loan through Neighbor’s Bank. She also claimed they had been approved for a USDA grant to make improvements. She provided letters with the USDA logo showing she had been prequalified for a $365,000 loan and awarded a $35,000 grant.

The homeowners made a written agreement to take the property off the market and rent it to Morganroth and her husband while they made improvements. But during the lease, Morganroth was often late on rent and didn’t provide required work logs. The USDA investigated and found no evidence the letters were issued, nor were there records of Morganroth or her husband in the loan or grant program. A USDA director noted that on the date of one letter, government offices were on furlough and not approving any loans or grants. Morganroth is summoned to appear in Platte County Circuit Court on April 8.