MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A former Freeborn County commissioner who ran a real estate closing company has pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $1 million from escrow accounts.

Sixty-year-old Linda Kae Tuttle-Olson of Albert Lea pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to one count of wire fraud.

In her plea agreement, Tuttle-Olson admitted that from January through June of 2010, she stole at least $920,000 from escrow accounts. Prosecutors say she transferred the funds into company accounts, wrote checks for herself, and sent checks from bank to bank to try to cover the scheme.

Her attorney says she’s a good person who became addicted to gambling. Kevin O’Connor Green says Tuttle-Olson was on two medications that list compulsive gambling as a side effect.

Green says state charges stemming from the same conduct will be dismissed.

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