Bloomington woman charged with embezzling nearly $278,000 from Eden Prairie company

A Bloomington woman is accused of embezzling nearly $278,000 from an Eden Prairie-based lumber trading company over the course of seven years, according to a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County District Court.

Kathryn Grace Wilcox, 68, is charged with one count of felony theft by swindle. Prosecutors allege that between May 2017 and February 2024, Wilcox wrote and deposited more than 600 fraudulent checks from Viking Forest Products into her personal bank account.

Wilcox, who worked in Viking Forest Products’ accounts payable department, allegedly issued checks under the name of a legitimate trucking company, Mike Brown Trucking, then deposited them via ATM into her Wells Fargo account, according to the complaint.

The alleged scheme was discovered in late February 2024, after Viking Forest Products’ corporate office flagged suspicious payments to Mike Brown Trucking, which had previously been listed as “Do Not Use” in company records. An internal review determined that no recent deliveries had been made by the company and that Wilcox had altered payment records to redirect funds, the complaint states.

When confronted by her manager, Wilcox allegedly admitted to taking the money and was terminated from her position. She later told investigators she had acted alone and used the funds primarily to cover personal expenses, including credit card bills, a car loan, and rent for a family member, according to the complaint.

Investigators reviewed banking and business records, copies of the checks, and employee statements. They confirmed the total amount embezzled was $277,897.79, authorities said.

Wilcox has one prior felony conviction related to failure to pay state income taxes, court records show.

If convicted, Wilcox faces up to 20 years in prison and a $100,000 fine, according to the complaint.

She remains out of custody. Her first court appearance is scheduled for May 12 in Hennepin County District Court in Minneapolis.