APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Criminal charges have been dropped against a former financial services employee in Appleton accused of embezzling over $300,000.
47-year-old Debra Gear had her case dismissed this week during her initial appearance in Outagamie County Circuit Court.
That's after she reached an agreement with Thrivent Financial to pay back everything she took between July of 2009 and last May.
Company spokesman Brett Weinberg said Gear must meet several conditions, including a complete payback. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Authorities said Gear added false claims to customers' accounts, and then had a relative transfer the money to her bank account.
Gear told police she embezzled the funds to pay her bills after she developed a gambling addiction.