Former Top Executive of Rochester Firm Convicted of Swindle

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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The former chief financial officer of a well-known Rochester company is scheduled to be sentenced in February and a major embezzlement case.

57-year-old Thomas Wiechmann today entered an Alford plea to a single count of theft by swindle. The plea means he does not admit guilt but acknowledges there is sufficient evidence to convict him.

The Austin man was the second highest-ranking executive officer for Reichel Foods and had been with the company since 1997 before he was fired in March of last year after the theft of a large amount of money was discovered. Wiechmann was accused of taking more than a half million dollars from the firm.

The complaint alleged Wiechmann used company credit cards for personal purchases. Based on purchases may between 2013 and 2019, investigators estimated the theft at more than $600,000. He was also accused of retaining and using the reward points from the credit card purchases for personal expenses.

A second high-ranking official with the company is also charged in the case. 54-year-old Loretta Taylor of St. Charles faces a charge of aiding and abetting theft by swindle. She is also accused of using company credit cards for personal purchases while she worked with Wiechmann as the Financial Controller for Reichel Foods. Her case is currently scheduled to go to trial in January.