The court issued its decision on July 23, 2026. It affirmed an amended criminal judgment from Cass County District Court.<\/p>\n
Engelking pleaded guilty to felony theft on October 13, 2025. She had worked as a controller for two Fargo education companies.<\/p>\n
Those businesses were Salon Professional Education Company and The Salon Professional Academy. Engelking handled payroll and managed company taxes.<\/p>\n
Unauthorized Payment Discovered<\/h2>\n
Court records show company president Jodi Brown approved one $12,000 personal loan. Engelking later issued herself another $12,000 payment without approval.<\/p>\n
The companies ended Engelking\u2019s employment in August 2024. A review of the businesses\u2019 records then uncovered more financial issues.<\/p>\n
The investigation found unpaid employee insurance premiums connected to Engelking\u2019s paychecks. It also required outside accounting work and added staff time.<\/p>\n A district court later ordered Engelking to pay $29,032.13 in restitution. The total included the unauthorized $12,000 payment.<\/p>\n It also included $1,362.46 in unpaid insurance premiums. Investigative costs made up the remaining amount.<\/p>\n Engelking appealed the restitution order to the North Dakota Supreme Court. She did not dispute the unauthorized $12,000 payment.<\/p>\n Instead, she challenged the added investigation costs and insurance premiums. She argued those losses were not directly caused by the theft.<\/p>\n The Supreme Court rejected both arguments. Justices found the investigation was directly linked to Engelking\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n The court said the businesses needed the review to find the theft\u2019s full extent. The review also helped correct accounting problems.<\/p>\n Justices also upheld the insurance premium portion. They found those funds should have been withheld from Engelking\u2019s paychecks.<\/p>\n The court said Engelking controlled payroll and knowingly avoided the deductions. That conduct caused a direct loss to the businesses.<\/p>\n The ruling affirmed the amended judgment and full restitution amount. Engelking remains responsible for paying $29,032.13.<\/p>\n She received a three-year prison sentence. The sentence includes 30 days in the Cass County Jail.<\/p>\n She was also ordered to serve 18 months of supervised probation. The restitution order remains part of the case.<\/p>\n Readers can review the North Dakota Supreme Court decision<\/a>.<\/p>\n North Dakota\u2019s restitution and sentencing laws<\/a> are also available online.<\/p>\n
\n![\"Alexis](\"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Alexis-Engelking.png\")
<\/a>Alexis Engelking<\/figure>\nRestitution Costs Challenged<\/h2>\n
Full Restitution Order Remains<\/h2>\n