Cole County woman charged for embezzling more than $40,000

A Cole County woman has been charged with embezzling more than $40,000 from two companies. Laura Winge, 44, is accused of taking the money from Turks Construction, Inc. and Pools Unlimited LLC.

According to investigators, Winge embezzled the money over a period beginning in 2010 and ending in March of this year. According to the owner of both companies, Winge:

Used a company credit card for personal purchases, including paying personal property taxes and renting a condo during a family vacation in Gulf Shores, Alabama Reduced the cost to herself for the company to install a hot tub/sauna on her property, and did so without permission Used the Turks payroll to issue herself additional checks in addition to her normal direct deposit payroll payments Increased her weekly compensation rate without the owner’s permission Made adjustments to residential renovations at Winge’s property, reducing her costs,without the owner’s consent

Winge has been charged with stealing more than $25,000 in property or services.