Hiawatha woman accused of stealing $70,000 from employer

CEDAR RAPIDS - Police have arrested a Hiawatha woman who is accused of stealing nearly $70,000 from her former employer over two years.

Kelly L. Bentow, 37, stole about $35,500 from May 1, 2016, to June 29, 2018, by paying herself commissions and taking commissions that were to be applied to customer accounts while she was treasurer at Midwest Distributors, 475 Burdette Dr. SW, according to a criminal complaint.

Bentow also 'misappropriated payments from vendors to the company and converted credits that were applied to customers' accounts to her own use,” according to the complaint. The misappropriated funds totaled about $33,500, the complaint said.

Bentow faces two counts of first-degree theft.

A warrant for Bentow's arrest was issued Monday, and she was taken into custody Tuesday.

Bentow made her first appearance Wednesday in Linn County District Court, where a judge appointed a public defender.

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