Fort Dodge, IA – A Fort Dodge woman is scheduled to stand trial for gambling fraud in an attempt to avoid paying a court-ordered setoff, according to officials from the Iowa Department of Justice.
The defendant, identified as 42-year-old Sarah Wilson, allegedly engaged in fraudulent gambling activities in order to conceal and dissipate assets that were supposed to be used to satisfy a court-ordered setoff. Wilson was previously ordered by a judge to pay restitution in a civil case but failed to comply with the order, prompting the Department of Justice to launch an investigation into her financial activities.
According to court documents, Wilson allegedly used funds from the court-ordered setoff to gamble at various casinos in the region. She reportedly incurred substantial losses while engaging in these gambling activities, with the intention of depleting the assets that were supposed to go towards paying her restitution.
The Department of Justice’s investigation revealed that Wilson had a history of financial mismanagement and fraudulent behavior, including creating false financial documents to conceal her gambling activities from authorities. In addition to the gambling fraud charges, Wilson is also facing charges of perjury and obstructing justice for her attempts to deceive investigators.
Wilson is scheduled to appear in court for a jury trial next month, where she will face the gambling fraud charges and other related offenses. If convicted, she could face significant fines and potential jail time for her actions.
In a statement, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable for financial fraud and deception. “We take allegations of gambling fraud very seriously and will aggressively pursue any individuals who seek to cheat the system and evade their financial obligations,” said Miller. “We are committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served in cases of financial misconduct.”
The Department of Justice is urging anyone who may have information about Sarah Wilson’s fraudulent activities to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation. Wilson’s trial is set to begin on March 15th at the Fort Dodge Courthouse.