MINDI LARSON SENTENCED BY PIERCE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT FOR EMBEZZLEMENT

Sentenced to 5 years probation and 1 year in county jail

MADISON - Judge Robert W. Wing of the Pierce County Circuit Court has ordered former legal secretary Mindi K. Larson, age 33, to serve 5 years probation and 1 year in county jail for her conviction of embezzlement, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today.

During her 1 year sentence in county jail she will have work release privileges, but still be required to pay all court costs. The total restitution amount to be paid will be determined at a later date and will be discussed through a mediator.

Larson pleaded guilty to the embezzlement charge on October 8, 2007. According to the criminal complaint, Larson embezzled $95,715 from her former employer, the Brandt Law Office of Prescott, WI. She embezzled the money from 2002-2004, by writing herself payroll checks in excess of the amount she was entitled to and by paying her creditors with checks written on the law accounts.

"Financial crimes, such as the embezzlement scheme in this case, are to be taken very seriously," Van Hollen said. "Agents at the Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation and attorneys within our Criminal Litigation Unit are trained to assist in, and when appropriate lead, investigations and prosecutions of white collar crime."

The case was investigated by the Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Gabrysiak as special prosecutor for Pierce County.