MANKATO — A 47-year-old Nicollet woman who swindled her former employer out of more than $100,000 and used the funds to buy a variety of weapons, ammunition and kid’s toys, according to court documents, was ordered to pay $126,747.46 in Blue Earth County District Court April 24.

Monica Ann Stephanie, 16 Sunset Drive, Nicollet, was convicted of felony financial transaction card fraud, check forgery and theft. An 18-month prison sentence was stayed for five years supervised probation. Stephanie was ordered to serve 60-day jail increments beginning April 28, 2023; April 24, 2025; and April 24, 2027.

She was ordered to continue engaging in mental health services, follow all recommendations of providers and pay $100 monthly restitution payments, joint and severally with a file co-defendant, before fines, fees and surcharges. Other conditions include no contact with victims, completing a diagnostic assessment and cognitive skill training if deemed appropriate by probation.

Court records detail a fraudulent charge scheme in Mankato between April 2020 and September 2022 involving Stephanie and her husband, Timothy A. Stephanie, 47. Timothy Stephanie pleaded guilty to felony theft April 20. A settlement conference was set for 9:30 a.m., Monday, June 12.

Police have not identified the employer involved in the case due to Timothy Stephanie’s continuing court case.

The Mankato business owner called police about the theft involving forged checks and fraudulent credit card charges by Monica Stephanie. Provided statements showed more than $100,000 in fraudulent charges involving corporate checks and unauthorized corporate credit card use over two years.

An investigation showed Monica Stephanie bought 17 firearms from the business from April 2, 2020 to May 24, 2022. From July 11, 2020 through Aug. 28, 2022, Timothy Stephanie bought 33 firearms from the business. In addition, Monica Stephanie wrote forged checks to herself, cashed them and used the cash for some of the firearm purchases that included scopes, ammunition, a crossbow, crossbow accessories and kid’s toys.

Some of the purchases were made from another Mankato business and businesses in New Ulm, Burnsville and Rogers.