Brainerd Scout Leader Admits to Stealing Money

A Brainerd Cub Scout treasurer told authorities she took money out of her troop’s checking account for personal use.

When checking bank records, the troop scoutmaster noticed $2,500 in withdrawals from the account that weren’t for troop purposes and reported the problem to police.

Ruth Ilene Stevens, 41. was charged with two counts of felony theft by the Crow Wing County Attorney’s Office. According to information from a filed criminal complaint, the 41-year-old woman says she and her family were going through a difficult financial stretch. She said the intention was to pay the $2,500 amount back.

According to the Forum News Service, the Boy Scouts of America Central Minnesota Council says the funds of troops and packs are managed separately from their direction.