Primghar, Iowa — A Paullina woman who defrauded a person for whom she was caring has been sentenced in O’Brien County District Court.
According to court records, 36-year old Rebecca Rutledge faced three counts of Forgery, one count of Theft 2nd degree and one count of Credit Card Fraud. All five of the charges were Class D felonies and each would have carried a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison and/or a $5000 fine. However, Rutledge agreed to a plea bargain. On Monday, November 7th, she was sentenced to a deferred judgement and two years’ probation on the credit card fraud charge and one of the forgery counts. She was also ordered to pay victim restitution, have a mental health evaluation and take a victim empathy course. Two of the forgery counts and the Second Degree Theft charge were dismissed.
According to O’Brien County Sheriff’s officials, the charges stemmed from their investigation into a complaint that Rutledge, 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 using it for her own financial gain. The criminal activity occurred between June and September of 2015 and resulted in over $7500 in various transactions, according to sheriff’s records.
