A former employee of the Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce has pleaded guilty to embezzling about $20,000 from the organization.

Teresa Lynn Scott, 38, of New Richland is scheduled for sentencing Aug. 5. In a plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to not recommend jail time and to request community service, court records said.

The thefts first came to light after Scott spent “Chamber Bucks” at the Waseca Wal-Mart. The certificates Scott used where marked “winter festival medallion hunt winner,” the criminal complaint said.

Chamber President Kim Foels was contacted on March 10 by the Wal-Mart employee, who is a member of the Chamber, because the employee knew Scott wasn’t the medallion hunt winner. Scott met with Chamber officials the following day and admitted she had been taking money. That’s when police were called.

For complete story, see the Saturday, May 31, 2008, print edition of The Free Press or sign onto our e-edition.

Click here to access Free Press e-edition