Report: Former Employee Sentenced in Merickel Lumber Swindle Case

According to a local news report, a former employee of Merickel Lumber Mills, Inc. (HQ: Wadena, MN), has been sentenced in their theft case.

The Wadena Pioneer Journal reports that “Brenda Rae Bakken, 57, Wadena, was charged with both felony theft and felony theft by swindle in April 2019. She was sentenced before Judge Doug Clark Friday, July 17, 2020 for felony theft by swindle, while the felony theft charge was dismissed. Terms of the sentence are that Bakken is to pay back $79,036.10 in restitution, funds that she stole from customers and Merickel Lumber. She must also pay a $1,000 fine, serve 45 days in the Wadena County Jail starting Aug. 3 and remain on supervised probation for 20 years. Bakken is to also complete a gambling assessment and consume no alcohol/controlled substances, with the exception of prescribed medications. Bakken has a mandatory 40 hours of Sentenced to Serve community service.”

Further details can be read here.