Former Employee Charged For Thefts From Habitat From Humanity

ST. PAUL (WCCO) -- A former employee of the local Habitat for Humanity is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from a building materials store he managed for the nonprofit organization.

Zachary Lyle Spader, 30, of St. Paul was charged with three counts of theft by swindle and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 14.

"This is a heart-breaking crime committed against an organization that does so much to help our community. This case will be vigorously prosecuted," said County Attorney Susan Gaertner, in a statement.

According to the criminal complaint, an employee of the organization's Restore outlet (which sells excess building materials that have been recovered or donated) told Habitat officials about the possible thefts.

Habitat officials then questioned Spader, who admitted to taking the money -- more than $55,000 from fraudulent returns of materials.