Woman pleads to lesser charge

A business theft case that started on shaky ground ended with a year of probation for a Lake Nebagamon woman.

Melissa Ann Minter, 32, pleaded no contest to an amended charge of misdemeanor theft Monday in Douglas County Court. She was sentenced to one year probation with conditions she undergo counseling and follow recommendations, pay $5,000 restitution and a $100 fine plus court costs and surcharge. The restitution was paid Monday, according to court records.

Minter was accused of pocketing as much as $20,000 in cash from her employer, Manion Foods, and making short deposits. She worked at the Superior firm for three years as an accounts receivable clerk.

The case barely made it through a preliminary hearing in January. Court Commissioner Paul Baxter said he found probable cause had been shown for a misdemeanor theft charge, but that the showing for a felony charge was “tenuous.”

Public Defender Leslie Dollen, who represents Minter, filed a motion on March 13 requesting the charge be amended to a misdemeanor due to insufficient evidence presented at the preliminary hearing. No actual business records were provided, Dollen argued, and witness Sue Manion’s testimony changed numerous times when asked if employees ever took cash and left checks to cover it.

Tags: theft, manion, foods, superior, minter, lake, nebagamon