Wisconsin Gambling Addict Steals

Debra Gear of Appleton accused of $300,000 in thefts from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Written by The Post-Crescent

APPLETON — Police say an Appleton woman who described herself as a gambling addict stole more than $300,000 from her employer during a near two-year period.

Debra J. Gear, 47, was charged last week in Outagamie County Court with three felony counts of theft. She will make her first court appearance Nov. 1.

An Appleton credit union representative went to police in May after noticing suspicious account activity.

Gear, who was an employee of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, fraudulently added claims to insured accounts and had checks drafted to a relative. Gear had legal access to the relative's account and would later transfer that money back to her account, the criminal complaint says.

Gear told police she had a gambling addiction and began to steal when she could no longer keep up with bills. The thefts took place from July 2009 through May 21, 2011.
Each count carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence and $25,000 fine.