Ex-Chaska chamber director pleads guilty to theft
The former director of the Chaska Chamber of Commerce has pleaded guilty to one count of felony theft.
Carver County Attorney Jim Keeler says 44-year-old Jacquelina Hellendrung entered her plea and was sentenced Friday.
Hellendrung was charged with six felony theft charges and two misdemeanor theft charges for stealing chamber funds over a 1½-year period. The other charges were dismissed.
The complaint alleged Hellendrung used the chamber's checking account and credit card to reimburse herself for personal expenses.
Prosecutors argued for jail time, but Judge Richard Perkins placed Hellendrung on probation for up to two years. She also must perform 80 hours of community service and pay $5,000 in restitution to the chamber.
Hellendrung was the chamber's executive director from April 2001 to June 2007. She apologized in court.
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