![Bowlus Man Charged With Theft by Swindle](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/03/attachment-20.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Bowlus Man Charged With Theft by Swindle
LITTLE FALLS (WJON News) - A Morrison County man faces charges of theft-by-swindle for allegedly stealing from a charitable gaming account.
Morrison County prosecutors have charged 74-year-old Arnold Benusa with felony theft by swindle.
![98.1 Minnesota's New Country logo](https://townsquare.media/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/WWJOFM.png?w=100)
Benusa was the gambling manager for the Bowlus Fire Department Relief Association since May 1st, 2010. Court records say the missing money from the gambling fund was discovered by members of the fire department. Officials discovered a trend of incomplete deposit slips and checks written to the city of Bowlus. The endorsement stamp on the checks was altered and city officials claim the money was not deposited into any city account. More than $260,000 was unaccounted for over the last 11 years.
Agents from the Alcohol and Gambling Division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety conducted a search of the Benusa home and found fraudulent checks, bank records from Benusa’s personal account, and about $30,000 in cash. The money was found in envelopes with dollar amounts and “taken on” dates on them.
If found guilty, Benusa faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
READ RELATED ARTICLES
- MDA Is Looking For Input On Legislative Priorities
- MN State Fair Offers BELLE Grants
- MDA Offers Producce Safety Grants
Rockville, Minnesota...in Pictures
More From 98.1 Minnesota's New Country
![Little Falls Murder Still Divides Minnesotans 10 Years Later](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2018/08/Byron-Smith1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Little Falls Man Sentenced to Prison for Killing His Wife](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/02/Jonathan-Greyblood.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Jury Finds Little Falls Man Guilty of Murder](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/02/Jonathan-Greyblood.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![What You Need To Know About The Big Road Closure In Princeton](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2022/11/attachment-Cover-33.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![9 Traits Minnesotans Seem To Have If They Grew Up Poor](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/07/attachment-towfiqu-barbhuiya-via-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Read All About It! Large Book Sale In Cold Spring](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/07/attachment-IMG_1164.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Taste The Season: Local Grower’s Sweet Corn Is Ready For You!](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/07/attachment-Image-Credit-David-Trink-via-Unsplash-Canva.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![A New Source of Minnesota Road Rage: Traffic Calming?](http://townsquare.media/site/66/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-35.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![How To Safeguard Your True Lilies From The ‘Lily Leaf Beetle’ Invasion](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/07/attachment-k-blaise-ltHdhw_p3Qw-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)