WILLMAR -- Former Pact 4 Executive Director Toni Braness pleaded guilty Wednesday to three felony counts of theft by swindle but did not admit to committing any of the acts.
A day after her jury trial was cancelled, Braness, 52, entered an Alford plea to the three counts, meaning she agrees there is sufficient evidence to prove guilt but does not admit to committing the acts.
Braness briefly took the stand Wednesday and entered her guilty pleas in a soft voice. Judge David L. Mennis accepted the pleas and entered convictions for Braness for the three charges.
Her sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 21. State sentencing guidelines call for a stayed jail sentence on the convictions.
Braness had faced five felony charges of theft by swindle from her former employer, Pact 4 Families Collaborative. The organization provides services for families and children with mental health issues in Kandiyohi, Meeker, Renville and Yellow Medicine counties.
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A jury trial expected to last several weeks had been set to begin Tuesday but was cancelled early Tuesday morning pending the plea agreement.
Braness was originally charged with three theft charges after it was found she misused gift cards and gift certificates from Pact 4 worth $10,000. Two more charges of theft were added Nov. 20 after further investigation revealed Braness had allegedly stolen more property from the organization.
As part of her plea agreement Wednesday, the two remaining charges against Braness were dismissed. The court also agreed not to pursue any future charges stemming from thefts from Pact 4.
"We believe the investigation is complete at this point," said Kandiyohi County Attorney Boyd Beccue.
Beccue said astute work by investigators led to the evidence and the eventual plea by Braness.
"The credit on this investigation, the bulk of it, really goes to the Willmar Police Department," he said. "They built that mountain of evidence."
Beccue went on to say that the Alford plea was accepted by prosecutors because it obtained the goals they sought -- a conviction and an order for restitution. As part of the agreement, Braness agreed to pay any restitution ordered at sentencing.
"The money for Pact 4 is taxpayer dollars," Beccue said. "This was the way to do the best job for the taxpayer."
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The plea agreement also saves taxpayers money by avoiding a jury trial that could have lasted up to three weeks.
According to a complaint filed in Kandiyohi County District Court, Braness
