Devils Lake man sentenced on embezzlement, theft charge

U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on Nov. 4, Kimberly A. Carlson, 42, of Devils Lake, N.D., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Ralph R. Erickson to a charge of

embezzlement and theft from an Indian tribal organization.

Between July 1, 2009, and January 31, 2010, Carlson was employed with the Spirit Lake Office of Victim Assistance in Fort Totten, N.D.. While employed as the acting director, Carlson used the office funds to pay a friend’s electric bills and personally used gift cards and money that was meant for victims, authoriteis said. Carlson also submitted travel

vouchers to two separate entities which duplicated reimbursement to Carlson for victim-related travel expenses. The total loss exceeded $1,000.

The charge of embezzlement and theft from an Indian tribal organization carries a statutory maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Sentencing for Carlson has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Jan. 11 in U.S.

District Court in Fargo.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandi Sasse Russell is prosecuting the case.

Tags: daily updates, news, embezzlement, theft, crime