Bemidji woman pleads guilty to stealing more than $380,000

BEMIDJI – A former employee of Beltrami Industrial Services has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $380,000 from the company.

Suzanne Marie Lofgren, 50, of Bemidji, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Beltrami County District Court to felony theft-diverting corporate property. Sentencing was set for Oct. 15 before Judge Shari Schluchter.

According to court documents:

Officials with Beltrami Industrial Services, located in Solway, reported to a Beltrami County sheriff’s investigator in October that Lofgren had stolen more than $300,000 from the company.

Beltrami Industrial Services, after learning of Lofgren’s theft, terminated her employment.

Lofgren had been employed for 11 years by Beltrami Industrial Services of Solway. As office manager, she had authority to issue checks and make payments on behalf of the business.

“Lofgren had attained a significant position of trust and authority within the corporation,” the criminal complaint states.

Court papers state a Beltrami County investigation established that Lofgren stole $381,689.19 from the company between Jan. 23, 2007 and Oct. 24, 2011, for her personal use. Lofgren stole $49,469.57 in 2007, $89,595.47 in 2008, $73,040.51 in 2009, $79,567.49 in 2010 and $90,016.15 in 2011.