POLK COUNTY, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – In a courtroom drama unfolding on Tuesday, April 23, Irene Thompson, 42, faced sentencing for her involvement in felony theft from an employer and aiding an offender. Thompson had previously pleaded guilty to these charges in February, leading to the dismissal of two remaining charges against her.
The proposed plea agreement advocated for a maximum of 180 days in custody. Thompson’s former employer, New Flyer, inadvertently overpaid her a substantial sum of $137,521.94, which she failed to return upon her departure from the company in December 2022.
Thompson rationalized her actions, alleging she mistook the overpayment for part of her retirement plan. However, investigations revealed otherwise, with her actual retirement account holding only a fraction of the sum she received.
The court handed down a 24-month and two-day custody sentence, with only 180 days to serve. This time will be staggered over three years, with Thompson mandated to spend periods in jail and on electronic home monitoring. Violation of probation terms could result in serving the full sentence.
Thompson’s case serves as a reminder of the repercussions of financial mismanagement and the importance of integrity in employment matters.