By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

A former Hays woman who has been charged with mail fraud for allegedly trying to gain millions from her former employer’s estate is set to change her plea in federal court in March.

Wanda Oborny was scheduled to be in U.S. District Court in Wichita for a hearing on Feb. 19. However, her attorney has filed an notice intent for Oborny to change her plea. Her next court date has been set for 10 a.m. March 1 in Wichita.

Oborny was a bookkeeper for Hays resident Earl O. Field. Oborny alleged 98-year-old Field signed a codicil to his will shortly before his death in 2013, leaving half of his $20 million estate to her with a quarter of the estate going to Fort Hays State University and the rest going to Field’s attorney, Joseph Jeter.

The original will left the bulk of the estate to the FHSU Foundation for use in providing scholarships. After a lengthy court battle, the Kansas Supreme Court refused to hear Oborny’s appeal in November.

This left in force a lower court’s decision Oborny or someone on her request forged Field’s name on the codicil to the will. As a result, the bulk of the $20 million estate will go to the Foundation.

Oborny’s attorney has not responded to a request for comment.