The manager of a Newport business was charged in Dakota County Court last week with using a company credit card for nearly $400,000 in personal purchases over 4-1/2 years.
Joseph Alexander Collins, 37, Waterville, was charged with diverting corporate property, over $35,000.
According to the complaint, a branch supervisor for a company reported that the manager of the Newport branch of the company, Collins, made numerous unauthorized purchases with the company credit card between Nov. 20, 2020 and May 31, 2024. Collins allegedly made personal purchases with the company credit card and labeled the purchases in the company’s financial tracking system as items for the office. Purchases included automobiles, furniture, boat supplies, an ATV, a firepit, jewelry, flooring and building materials for his home. Many purchases were made in Dakota County, with additional purchases in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties. Unauthorized purchases reportedly totaled $393,093.08.
When the audit was announced, Collins reportedly called human resources and asked, “I’m getting fired aren’t I?” according to the complaint. He further said, “I don’t want to give you some sob story. I mean this is terrible. What’s I have done is terrible.”