DES MOINES, Iowa – The former CEO of the Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce was sentenced during an emotionally charged hearing Wednesday afternoon. Melisa Ginae Cox, 47, of Johnston, received a consecutive sentence of 35 years in prison, which the judge suspended.

“If I could take it back, I would,” she told the court through tears. “I am so, so sorry.”

Cox was placed on probation for five years and ordered to pay restitution after admitting to stealing more than $250,000 and covering up the crimes during her tenure as the leader of the organization.

On April 30, she pleaded guilty to three Class C felonies—first-degree theft, unauthorized use of a credit card in excess of $10,000, and money laundering—and to second-degree fraudulent practice, a Class D felony, in exchange for several other charges being dropped.

Cox embezzled roughly $80,000 annually—nearly doubling her $100,000 salary each year—after she was hired in 2021. The crimes came to light last Fall, after an internal audit reportedly found financial irregularities. Cox told the court she spent the money on family vacations, Amazon orders, bills, and groceries, and that she acted under self-inflicted “pressure” because she wanted her family to fit in. Her husband had no knowledge of the crimes until after her arrest, she said.

Cox was visibly emotional at times during the hearing, as were members of her family who showed up to support her.

More than 30 people attended the hearing. Seats in the second-floor courtroom that were initially reserved for the sentencing were quickly filled, with additional people waiting outside. Due to a policy that prohibits standing in the courtroom, the hearing was moved to a larger courtroom on a different floor to accommodate the crowd, which included many members of Cox’s family and the Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce board.

Her attorney, Nicholas Lombardi, argued for probation.

“She has worked very hard since November, when all of this started to happen, to try and make it right,” he said.

Lombardi told the judge that Cox began therapy after her arrest and was diagnosed with anxiety and PTSD. He added that her family had made lifestyle changes, such as giving up their country club membership, in the aftermath of the crimes being revealed. He noted that media attention had added further strain to her case and reputation. He also said her felony convictions would follow her for the rest of her life and that her college degree had been rendered “all but worthless” as a result.

Cox is now working as a kennel attendant, making $30,000 a year, she stated in court.

Assistant County Attorney Jaki Livingston requested prison time, arguing that Cox appeared to feel “entitled,” noting she had admitted to knowing her actions were wrong and had often thought about the consequences but continued for several years anyway.

“For a considerable period of time, she took advantage of the trust of the community of Ankeny,” Livingston told the judge.

She also questioned the PTSD diagnosis, pointing out that Cox had previously reported no traumatic experiences in her life.

A representative from the Greater Ankeny Chamber of Commerce read a victim impact statement on behalf of the board members, stating the situation had dealt a devastating blow to the credibility the organization had built since 1951.

“The embezzlement of over $250,000 from our organization was not only a serious financial crime; it was a profound betrayal of the values that we uphold,” said Tony Mills, chairman of the board. “We’re angry, we’re hurt, and we’re exhausted.”

Mills said Cox’s actions had “damaged far more than the bottom line.” He explained that it had affected the organization’s ability to fundraise, strained internal relationships, caused a decline in membership renewals, and led to volunteers stepping away.

District Court Judge Brad McCall also ordered Cox, who let out a large breath after learning she would not spend time in prison, to attend a six-week victim impact awareness program at a local community college. He told the court that he considered Cox’s age, family circumstances (including her two teenage daughters), her lack of prior criminal history, the nature of the offenses, and the steps she had taken since being caught.

Lombardi told the court that Cox had secured a personal loan from a family member and planned to repay the chamber in the near future. The Ankeny Chamber was indemnified by insurance for $100,000. Therefore, Cox will be required to pay $152,637.11 in restitution, according to the Polk County Attorney’s Office.

After the hearing, Mills told WHO 13’s Katie Kaplan that they have not yet heard anything about reimbursement but that the chamber is focused on moving forward and beginning a new chapter. The organization hopes to announce its new CEO in the coming days, who will work under a revised system of checks and balances. That includes a fractional CFO, redistributed financial responsibilities, and a committee focused on creating policies to ensure this situation never happens again.