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Mercedes Mogensen
Mercedes Mogensen
ELKHORN — A former Lake Geneva Public Library employee was sentenced Wednesday to pay the city $97,546 in restitution for theft and charging personal purchases on the library’s credit card.
Mercedes A. Mogensen, 45, of W5685 Babcock Drive, Elkhorn, was convicted on two felony counts of theft in a business setting and two felony counts of misconduct in office.
Mogensen was fired from her job at the library in June 2008 while facing accusations of stealing $18,500 from the library and charging $70,000 in personal purchases to the library’s credit card.
She admitted to the crimes after an investigation by the Lake Geneva Police Department.
Judge James Carlson ordered Mogensen to serve 60 day at the Walworth County jail.
“By greed or by need, it seemed to be more of the nature of greed, though that could be argued,” Carlson said.
Lake Geneva City Administrator Dennis Jordan, who spoke on behalf of the city, said one of the main concerns in this case is the loss of public trust.
“Ms. Mogensen created an atmosphere of mistrust,” Jordan said. “At a time when the economy is down, citizens count on the library to provide materials. And these materials that were expected to be purchased were not purchased.”
During Wednesday’s sentencing hearing, Assistant District Attorney Diane Donohoo raised concerns over Mogensen’s honesty in more than just her job performance.
According to a copy of Mogensen’s resume, she listed having two years of college education when applying for the library job. When asked by Carlson whether she had attended college, Mogensen stood silent and shook her head.
“She is a thief, she is not a truthful person,” Donohoo said.
Defense attorney Timothy Mistrioty said though not all purchases made on the library credit card were necessities, “a lot of it was for (Mogensen’s) kids.”
“Again, it doesn’t change the fact,” Mistrioty added. “But basically, the character of the defendant is a good mom. (and) her kids are doing real good.”
Mistrioty said Mogensen would use between $3,500 and $4,500 from her retirement plan toward restitution.
After the hearing, library board President Duanne Lafrenz said Mogensen’s plan to use retirement money would be “another indicator of stealing” since the plan was paid for by the city on Mogensen’s behalf.
Carlson ordered Mogensen to pay the city of Lake Geneva $950 per month beginning June 1.