Hermantown woman pleads guilty to stealing $100,000 from nonprofit school – Duluth News Tribune

DULUTH — A Hermantown woman admitted to six-figure theft from a nonprofit organization that raises money for elementary school supplies, field trips and other expenses.

Trista Irene Swanson, 44, pleaded guilty last week in state District Court to four counts of theft.

Swanson previously served as treasurer of the Hermantown Parent Teacher Organization, an all-volunteer effort that supports K-4 students, teachers and classroom initiatives at Hermantown Elementary School.

She was indicted in July 2023 on seven counts after other leaders uncovered hundreds of fraudulent transactions that drained the organization’s funds.

Court documents indicate the theft was first reported to the Hermantown Police Department in September 2022. President Cyndi Lewis provided bank records and indicated that three PTO officers reviewed the records together, separating the valid transitions from those suspected of being fraudulent.

The criminal complaint says Swanson began her tenure as treasurer on July 23, 2019, and the former executive’s account privileges were terminated at that time. Only Swanson and Lewis had access to the funds.

Lewis told police there had been 369 “individual thefts and discoveries” over the three years. Upon examination, police estimated the total theft to be $103,017.41.

“They determined that the defendant stole from the account by sending him checks, using the account’s debit card to withdraw money directly, and making unauthorized personal purchases,” the complaint states. “The defendant proposed budgets to the PTO each year showing that money was in the account, but it was later learned that the budgets she created were fraudulent and did not represent the actual balance in the account.”

The volunteer leaders also provided police with a recorded phone call in which they confronted the treasurer. Swanson allegedly admitted that she used the funds for unauthorized personal purposes, but maintained that she and her husband intended to repay them at some point. Police said there was no record of Swanson attempting to repay the account.

Lewis told the News Tribune last year that it had been a “very difficult” time for the group, which had to pause its efforts and open new bank accounts, but the nonprofit intended to ensure an influx of new funds.

By pleading, Swanson avoided a jury trial that had been set for next week. Judge Shawn Pearson ordered a standard background investigation before sentencing, set for Dec. 19.

Swanson remained free throughout the proceedings.

Tom Olsen has covered crime, courts and the 8th Congressional District for the Duluth News Tribune since 2013. He graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth and is a lifelong resident of the city. Readers can contact Olsen at 218-723-5333 or [email protected].