Former office manager accused of stealing funds

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The former officer manager of an Albert Lea, Minn., steel fabrication company was charged Monday with bilking the company out of more than $525,000 and using the money to pay her credit card bills.

Lorna J. Johnson, 45, was charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office with two counts of mail fraud.

According to a criminal complaint, Johnson embezzled funds from Edwards Manufacturing, where she was office manager, by writing company checks payable to herself, Citibank and Bank of America. The complaint said she also altered company records to conceal her actions.

Johnson could face 10 years in prison and $500,000 in fines.