US Edition5 witnesses testify as DSS embezzlement trial begins
- Heather Jan Porterfield, former court administrator, is accused of stealing nearly $10,000 from the Nashwauk-Keewatin Band fundraising account and faces two felony counts of theft, according to court documents.
- Lonna Carroll, a retired administrative assistant, allegedly stole $1,777,665.73 from the South Dakota Department of Social Services over 13 years, facing felony counts of grand theft.
- Investigators noted that Carroll made 215 unauthorized transactions while working for the Division of Child Protection Services in South Dakota, according to state Attorney General Marty Jackley.
- The trial for both women has begun, with Porterfield's next court appearance scheduled for May 5, and Carroll's trial expected to last several days this week.
8 Articles
8 Articles
Duluth News Tribune
Bemidji PioneerNorthland court administrator charged with felony theft
GRAND RAPIDS — The former court administrator for two Northland counties is accused of stealing funds from a school band. Heather Jan Porterfield, 51, of Nashwauk Township, was charged in January with two felony counts of theft. Court documents allege several financial discrepancies totaling nearly $10,000 while she was managing a fundraising account for the Nashwauk-Keewatin Band. Porterfield, according to documents, told investigators that she…
Former Erie County Department of Social Services employee admits to stealing $5K in HEAP benefits
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A Buffalo woman pleaded guilty Wednesday after she allegedly stole almost $5,000 in HEAP benefits while working with the county's Department of Social Services, according to the New York State Offices of the Inspector General. Officials said Denise Nelson, 56, redirected the benefits in the names of other people to her own properties, resulting in nearly $5,000 worth of unauthorized heating services. "As a public employee…
The Daily Republic
$1.8 million theft trial begins with details of alleged scheme; defense attacks state negligence
PIERRE — As a trial opened Tuesday for a woman accused of stealing $1.8 million intended for children under South Dakota’s care, the defense alleged that the state shares the blame for crimes that are too old to punish, while the prosecution described a long-running and calculated scheme. Lonna Carroll, a 68-year-old retiree, is charged with two felony counts of grand theft for crimes she allegedly committed from 2010 to 2023 while working as an…
5 witnesses testify as DSS embezzlement trial begins
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) -- The first day of the criminal trial for a former employee accused of stealing more than $1.7 million from the South Dakota Department of Social Services featured five of the prosecution's witnesses explaining how the alleged crimes occurred. Lonna Carroll, who has pleaded not guilty to two charges of grand theft, listened and sometimes conferred in whispers with her court-appointed defense attorney throughout their testimo…
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