Grand Forks Woman Accused Of Theft From 2 Crookston Businesses

CROOKSTON, MN—The former office manager for two Crookston rental companies is accused of embezzling more than a quarter of a million dollars in rent and deposit money over several years.  53-year-old Cathy Ann LaJesse of Grand Forks is charged with eight counts of felony theft by diverting corporate property and eight counts of felony theft by swindle.  Polk County prosecutors say she handled finances for Kresl Properties LLC and BGB Development Group of Crookston LLC.  Her duties included collecting rent, making deposits and reconciling bank statements.  According to the complaint, investigators found that from 2021 to March 2025 LaJesse stopped paying rent on her Crookston home, but used the companies’ software to make it look as though she had.  The amount of unpaid rent is estimated to be $65,000.  Police say cash rent and security deposits from other tenants were marked as paid, but never showed up in the companies’ bank accounts.  Missing payments from 2017 to early 2025 totalled more than $200,000.  Meanwhile, bank records showed more than $100,000 in unexplained cash deposits in LaJesse’s bank accounts.  Investigators say LaJesse also received Section 8 housing assistance, even though with the additional income, she wouldn’t have qualified for it.  LaJesse’s bail was set at $5000.  Prosecutors say they will seek a tougher sentence if LaJesse is convicted, saying the case is “a major economic offense.” 

(Valley News Live)