Primghar, Iowa — A Paullina woman who is charged with five felony counts after authorities allege she defrauded a person she was caring for — has pled not guilty.
O’Brien County Sheriff Michael Anderson says they had received information that alleged that 36-year-old Rebecca Anna Marie Rutledge of Paullina, who was working as an in home health care worker for an elderly O’Brien County citizen, had gained access to the individual’s debit card and personal checking account and was allegedly using it for her own financial gain. The alleged criminal activity occurred between June of 2015 and September of 2015 and resulted in over $7500 in various transactions.
Rutledge was recently arraigned and entered a written plea of “not guilty” to three counts of Forgery, one count of Theft 2nd degree and one count of Credit Card Fraud. All five of the charges are Class D felonies and each carry a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison and / or a $5000 fine.
