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• Judge accepts no-jail deal in embezzlement
• Pierce County recycling center's '07 sales revenue exceeds '06's

By Jen Cullen, RiverTown Staff

An Ellsworth woman pleaded guilty early last week to stealing more than $70,000 from her Red Wing employer.

As part of the deal reached with prosecutors, Lynn Wittman must pay $70,833.64 in restitution to Culligan Water Systems.

Her first payment will be $30,000, due by June 1. The 35-year-old will then make $500 monthly payments for two years, and pay the remaining balance in a lump sum by Jan. 1, 2011.

The felony theft charge she pleaded guilty to will be erased from her record if she successfully pays the restitution, remains law abiding and meets other court-ordered conditions while on probation for five years.

Wittman will serve no jail time.

Minnesota First District Court Judge Kevin Mark accepted Wittman's plea after another judge said earlier this month the deal lacked criminal consequences.

"It's too lenient, given the circumstances," Minnesota First District Court Judge Thomas Bibus said in court April 4.

Assistant Goodhue County (Minn.) Attorney Carol Lee said the plea agreement ensured Glen Craven, Culligan's owner, would be paid back.

"The payments are the most important part," Lee said.

Wittman started stealing from Culligan in 2005. She altered the company's books to make them appear balanced while she worked in the accounts payable department. She would then write herself checks for random amounts.

Wittman is currently employed, but does not handle money. She said in court she thought the large restitution payments were reasonable and she'd be able to make them on time.

By Bill Kirk, RiverTown Staff

Pierce County's recycling center realized a gross materials sales revenue total in 2007 topping the $400,000 mark for the fourth consecutive year and exceeding the amount in 2006, according to the annual report from the solid waste department.

Despite the 3,500 tons of recyclable materials marketed last year being below the 4,309 tons recorded a year earlier, the center had $417,000 in revenue, up from $403,837 in '06.

The increase is attributed to a rise in the average price paid per ton, which was $120 in '07, compared to $94 the year before.

Get more on this story in this week's print edition of the Pierce County Herald.