Court gavel. MWC file photo.
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU) — The former Executive Director of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Marshfield is accused of taking unauthorized withdrawals from the group’s checkbooks.
Iilee Pederson is accused of making up to $120,000 in cash withdrawals over two years, then depositing the money into a personal bank account. Investigators say she presented the board with redacted bank statements to cover up her actions.
The alleged withdrawals occurred between June 2022 and June ’24. When confronted, the 39-year-old said she took the money because one of her relatives was having financial trouble.
Pederson faces nearly a dozen counts, including felony money laundering, fraud by a corporate officer, and theft in a business setting. Prosecutors have also filed two misdemeanor counts for theft in a business setting of less than $2,500.
Representatives of the Roland McDonald House Charities of Marshfield say they have recovered about $100,000 from its insurance company.
A judge found probable cause on Monday and set a $50,000 signature bond for Pederson, which she signed. Conditions include a full no-contact order with Ronald McDonald House Charities. She is also barred from working for any other charitable group and cannot leave the state of Wisconsin without prior approval.
Further court action is scheduled for January 6th.
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