Hallock Woman Accused in $14,600 Pull-Tab Theft

HALLOCK, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) – A former Hallock Eagles Club bar manager faces three felony charges involving an alleged $14,600 charitable gambling theft scheme.

Donna Faye Swazey, 57, of Hallock, is charged with theft, forgery, and identity theft following an investigation into suspicious pull-tab prize payouts.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Kittson County District Court, the alleged offenses occurred between February 28 and April 27.

Eagles Club Reports Suspected Embezzlement

On April 28, 2024, Hallock Eagles Club President Jackson Johnson contacted the Kittson County Sheriff’s Office.

Johnson reported suspected embezzlement involving the club’s charitable gambling operations.

The investigation involved the Minnesota Gambling Control Board and state alcohol and gambling enforcement investigators.

Investigators discovered irregularities involving winning pull-tab tickets and prize receipts.

Investigators Find Questionable Prize Receipts

According to court documents, several winning tickets had been attached to receipts for different pull-tab games.

Some tickets contained unusually heavy black markings that covered their symbols.

Investigators believed those markings could conceal differences between winning tickets and the associated prize records.

Other receipts contained handwritten information that did not match previously scanned driver’s license information.

Several winning tickets also came from games that had already closed before the reported payout dates.

Witnesses Deny Signing Gambling Receipts

Investigators interviewed several people whose names appeared on winning prize receipts.

According to the complaint, multiple individuals denied signing the documents.

Some receipts contained incorrect addresses or driver’s license information.

Investigators also examined a prize receipt associated with a North Dakota identity.

The listed driver’s license number could not be verified, and the address reportedly did not exist.

The complaint alleges that some receipts improperly used identifying information belonging to other individuals.

onna Faye Swazey, 57, of Hallock, is charged with theft, forgery, and identity theft following an investigation into suspicious pull-tab prize payouts.

Husband’s Name Appears on Multiple Payouts

Several disputed prize receipts listed Swazey’s husband, Robert Swazey, as the winner.

One group of three receipts dated March 23, totaled $1,600.

Other disputed receipts listed his name on payouts associated with previously closed games.

Investigators also reported irregularities involving handwritten receipts and altered tickets.

The supplied complaint does not identify separate charges against Robert Swazey.

Surveillance Footage Reviewed

Authorities examined surveillance recordings from the Eagles Club.

According to the complaint, footage showed Donna Swazey near the prize receipt area during relevant periods.

Other footage reportedly showed her removing money from a cash register and inserting it into a pull-tab machine.

Investigators could not determine the exact amounts involved from the recordings.

A gambling manager also reported losing access to the club’s camera system in March.

Three Felony Charges Filed

Prosecutors allege the fraudulent activity involved an aggregated value of $14,600.

Swazey faces the following charges:

Count 1: Felony theft – Maximum 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine.
Count 2: Felony forgery – Maximum three years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine under the 2024 statute.
Count 3: Felony identity theft – Maximum 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine.

The charges cite Minnesota Statute 609.52, 609.63, and 609.527.