Former librarian must pay Lake Geneva $97,546 in restitution
Photo 
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.
May 18, 2009 at 6:51 p.m.
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Just tell her she was wrong and let her go free. Oh wait, that's what they did. IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 18, 2009 at 6:35 p.m.
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Others have found this an easy way to steal. Perhaps we need tighter security and more "checkpoints" and additional accountability... especially smaller organizations where everyone is closely knit, like churches with child care facilities/small town schools/libraries/small companies...
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Its really sad to have to be so suspect of EVERY employee or volunteer we have in an organization or company. But thieves are in ALL walks of life. A sign of the times, I guess...
May 17, 2009 at 11:57 a.m.
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So give her Huber. Stick her in jail, make her work all day somewhere and keep most of that towards her restitution. Just because she "has kids", she's allowed to be a THIEF. What kind of example is that for children? I consider that abuse just the same as any other.
"Oh, but who will take care of the children?" Foster care would be better than this. It wasn't a one-time theft; it was an on-going rip-off of a valuable and important institution who is already having financial difficulties. Punish the guilty!!
May 16, 2009 at 7:59 p.m.
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Re: Headline incorrect
Being an employee of a library does not make one a librarian. Librarians hold a college degree in Library Science.
Please make an effort for accuracy
May 15, 2009 at 11:50 p.m.
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She "borrowed" it, she owes it, plus interest. So she does need a job to pay it back, but it needs to be withheld if that is the case.
May 15, 2009 at 4:23 p.m.
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The assumption with embezzlement is that the individual will need to remain in the community to work so that they can earn enough money to fulfill their restitution contract.
May 15, 2009 at 3:39 p.m.
May 15, 2009 at 2:36 p.m.
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60 days and restrution??? c'mon anyone else is doing prison time,probation,restrution.If she is remorseful would hate to see her picture if she werent.
May 15, 2009 at 1:34 p.m.
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Her picture doesn't look very remoresful. More like she is mad she got caught.
May 14, 2009 at 9:37 p.m.
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if she dosn't pay could she get more time?
May 14, 2009 at 5:23 p.m.
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If a man stole $100,000, he would be a convicted felon and would go to prison for years.
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