By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Co-Editor
LINCOLN COUNTY – A Wausau woman, formerly of Tomahawk, accused of stealing over $30,000 from a Tomahawk financial institution while an employee pleaded not guilty to three felony charges in Lincoln County court on Friday, Jan. 17, according to court records.
Tabitha Mayer, 20, faces felony charges of theft from a financial institution (value exceeds $10,000 but does not exceed $100,000); theft in a business setting ($5000-$10,000); and fraud against a financial institution (value exceeds $10,000 but does not exceed $100,000).
While working as a teller for a Tomahawk credit union, Mayer allegedly stole $34,000 between Aug. 2018 and June 2019 by retaining cash from her cash drawer and engaging in recording manipulations in order to avoid detection of the cash being stolen.
To avoid detection, Mayer needed to keep a running total of her thefts in order to manipulate recording records, according to a criminal complaint filed with the Lincoln County District Attorney’s office. During an interview with the investigating officer, Mayer reportedly admitted to the theft of $18,000 from the financial institution and engaging in making false financial recording entries, causing her teller drawer to balance without detection of the theft.
Mayer waived her preliminary hearing, and Judge Robert R. Russell determined sufficient evidence exists for the case to proceed. Mayer’s next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 20, according to court records.