The commissioner, who is paid $44,000 a year, has been placed on paid administrative leave.
According to the charging document filed in Castle Dale's 7th District Court, Sitterud "appropriated public money [for] his own use or benefit . . . without authority of law."
The document provides few specifics but alleges the misuse of funds took place on seven occasions from Nov. 3, 2005 to Jan. 4, 2007.
An attorney for Sitterud, Price-based Sonny Olsen, characterized the charges as a "smear campaign" that stems from travel reimbursements that, he said, total less than $1,500.
Sitterud will plead not guilty at his initial court appearance on July 15, Olsen said.
The one-term commissioner is seeking re-election this year. Olsen said the charges look to be politically motivated.
"They could have charged him a year ago," Olsen said. "They chose to do so now in order to thwart his re-election."
A statement from the Attorney General's Office said the charges were filed June 17.
"Assistant Attorney General Pat Nolan then appeared at the regularly scheduled Emery County Commission meeting in Castle Dale and served copies of the [criminal] information and a criminal summons upon Commissioner Sitterud."
Commissioners Jeff Horrocks and Gary Kofford, as is set out in state statutes, voted to place Sitterud on paid leave until the case can be adjudicated.
