Former Emerado city auditor changes plea in city funds theft case

Sep. 29—GRAND FORKS — A former Emerado city auditor changed her plea Thursday, Sept. 26, in

the criminal case filed against her for stealing city funds.

Wendy Jane Sullivan, 60, pleaded guilty to Class A felony theft of more than $50,000. Her second Class A felony charge, misapplication of more than $50,000 in entrusted property, will be dismissed.

Suspected theft and misapplication of city funds was reported to the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigations in April 2022. Reviewing the city's Alerus Financial account and Sam's Club card, numerous questionable transactions were discovered, according to an affidavit filed in the case.

More than $8,000 had been spent at Sam's Club, with purchases included a wide variety of items, including gasoline and beef steak strips. Questionable debits and withdrawals from the Alerus Financial account totaled nearly $18,000.

When Sullivan was working as the city auditor from March 2019 to March 2022, she was the sole person in charge of the Sam's Club card and debit card, the affidavit said.

She also was in charge of writing payroll checks to city employees, and appeared to have overcompensated herself for her work by nearly $90,000, the affidavit said.

The total of all reported misapplied or stolen funds is $115,613.58.

Class A felonies have a maximum 20-year sentence. A plea agreement has not been filed yet, as a couple of terms — including restitution — are still being worked out, according to the state.

Sentencing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Nov. 22.