Charges against Tuttle dismissed

Charges against Tuttle dismissed

Thirteen state charges against former Freeborn County Commissioner Linda Tuttle were officially dismissed earlier this month after she pleaded guilty in federal court in April to one count of wire fraud, a felony.

The charges included one felony count of racketeering and 12 felony counts of theft by swindle.


Linda TuttleTuttle has admitted under oath to taking funds from escrow accounts of her company, Albert Lea Abstract, and diverting them to pursue a gambling addiction. She reportedly took the money both before and after she was elected as Freeborn County commissioner in November 2008.

During a federal court hearing in April, her lawyer, Kevin O’Connor Green, contended she spent $920,000, while the government said it was $1.1 million. The two sides have to negotiate a final dollar amount based on claims.

Under the plea agreement for the federal charge, Tuttle cannot withdraw her plea and cannot appeal. She surrendered the right to a trial by jury of her peers, the right to a speedy trial and the right to be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Tuttle resigned as county commissioner on Aug. 1, 2010, amid allegations. Green stated Tuttle has since taken gambling-addiction treatment at Project Turnabout in Granite Falls.

He also noted that his client’s use of prescription drugs to treat restless-legs syndrome played a factor in how a successful businesswoman and county leader could “just run off a cliff.” The prescriptions have a side effect of compulsive behavior.

The date for Tuttle’s federal sentencing has not yet been scheduled.