Former veterans group president gets probation for theft

The former president of the Freedom Foundation, a non-profit veteran's organization, received a deferred judgment and probation Tuesday for stealing $3,000 in donated gift cards, depriving veterans of Christmas presents.

Roger Wiest, 70, pleaded guilty in April to second-degree theft. He admitted to stealing the donated gift cards and using them for personal use. The other charge of tampering with records was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

According to the criminal complaint, Wiest falsified records, documenting the donations for tax purposes, and admitted to several of the transactions.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Jason Besler said there were several gift cards, totaling $3,000, that he stole. There was evidence through documents and records that the gift cards had been used by Wiest to buy household items and other items.

Wiest, who had no prior criminal history, received a deferred judgment and is to be on supervised probation for two years. If he violates probation, a judge could revoke probation and sentence him to five years in prison, the penalty for second-degree theft.

Wiest apologized to the court and the organization for the theft.

Charles Elias, president of the foundation, formerly known as the Iowa Veterans Welcome Center, said in a victim's impact statement during the hearing that Wiest's theft hurt the organization and deprived 59 veterans of Christmas presents. He called Wiest's crime 'shameful,” saying it was a 'violation of trust.” He also told the court that he thought Wiest should make a written apology to the foundation.

'This is a sad day,” Elias said later after the hearing. 'Nobody takes any pleasure in this. This has hurt veterans, our organization and what we are trying to do.”

The organization helps to provide emergency financial aid, clothing, food and other services to veterans, Elias said.

The foundation discovered the theft in 2015 after Elias was taking over as president and started looking over the financial documents. He said proof of the theft was noted in Wiest's own documentations, since he was also the treasurer at the time. Wiest later served as president.

An independent auditor was brought in to look at all the records and more discrepancies were found, Elias said. The total number of gift cards missing was $7,844.

Elias said he wasn't happy about the sentence but he understands that according to the law and evidence, this is best resolution.

Besler said Wiest also is to pay restitution to the organization but the final amount hasn't been determined.