GRAND FORKS, ND (trfnews.i234.me) – Wendy Jane Sullivan, 60, pleaded guilty on Thursday, September 26, to a Class A felony theft of more than $50,000. The second charge against her, misapplication of over $50,000 in entrusted property, will be dismissed.
The shocking embezzlement scheme was uncovered by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigations in April 2022. Reviewing the city’s financial accounts and credit card statements revealed numerous questionable transactions totaling nearly $18,000 from the Alerus Financial account and over $8,000 spent at Sam’s Club on items such as gasoline and beef steak strips.
As the sole person responsible for managing the city’s finances during her tenure as auditor from March 2019 to March 2022, Sullivan had access to both accounts. The investigation revealed that she also appeared to have overcompensated herself by nearly $90,000 in payroll checks written while working at the city.
The total misapplied or stolen funds amount to a staggering $115,613.58. Class A felonies carry a maximum 20-year sentence. Sullivan’s sentencing is scheduled for November 22, with restitution terms still being worked out as part of her plea agreement.