Accused swindler reaches plea deal: Former Rose Creek clerk to be sentenced in July

Published 10:16 am Friday, May 23, 2014

The former Rose Creek city clerk has reached a plea deal with authorities over allegedly swindling a rural fire department fund of thousands of dollars.

Janet Marie Nelsen, 58, will be sentenced for one count of theft by swindle, a misdemeanor, on July 18.

According to the court complaint filed in January, Nelsen has for years been the bookkeeper for the Rural Fire Association. Windom, Nevada and Marshall townships form part of the association, as they compile $5,500 per year to couple with the Rose Creek Fire Department for a total of $11,000 toward the fund.

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The Rose Creek fire chief grew suspicious of the bookkeeping last fall. According to the court complaint, that upset Nelsen. She later attended a township meeting and reportedly said, “Here, you guys take this,” and handed over the association’s checking account information and checks.

The Windom Township treasurer looked into the bookkeeping and said the records “were a mess,” and that she was unable to find receipts and bank records. Furthermore, Nelsen, who was to receive $175 per year for keeping the association’s books, was reportedly paying herself more than once per year and putting checks in her husband’s bank account, as well.

At an emergency meeting with the Rose Creek mayor and township representatives, Nelsen admitted she had done something wrong and didn’t know how much money was missing.

According to the complaint, Nelsen told a detective her husband was having medical problems, so she had written herself unauthorized checks. According to the detective, Nelsen issued herself $525 in 2012, $650 in 2011, $275 in 2010, $500 in 2009, $835 in 2008 and $275 in 2007. Those investigating the issue were unable to find bank records before 2007.

The city of Rose Creek kept Nelsen on as city clerk after she was charged with several crimes, but eventually fired Nelsen in March.