Albert Lea Abstract/Strong Insurance Info

Additional charges filed against Linda Tuttle-Olson

Linda Tuttle-Olson was charged Monday with 12 additional counts of theft by swindle and one count of racketeering in Freeborn County District Court. The charges stem from ALPD allegations that Tuttle-Olson used the Albert Lea Abstract Company to divert money to her own bank accounts for personal use according to Albert Lea Police Chief Dwaine Winkels. The investigation has so far discovered over $1.1 million missing funds making this arguably the largest theft case ever in our immediate area.

The ALPD believes that other potential victims may still be unidentified. Very little money has been recovered from the business accounts. Anyone that may have done business with this company and had funds remaining in escrow is a potential victim. You are encouraged to file a report. Some of the escrow accounts may be many years old. A form is available through the Police Department and on the Albert Lea website for people to provide information about potentially missing funds.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce is working with the Albert Lea Police to help people affected by the closure of the business to complete transactions that were pending. The investigators have been assisting in getting copies of confiscated files to people and helping others get copies of Abstracts which may have been on file with the company. Abstracts that were being stored by Albert Lea Abstract are not affected by this investigation and remain at the business.

All of these charges follow the execution of search warrants on June 22 at the businesses and Tuttle-Olson home. The Minnesota Department of Commerce Insurance Fraud Division and Market Assurance Division assisted in developing this case and are continuing to investigate the case in conjunction with the Albert Lea Police Department.

Additional info:
The Steele County Attorney’s Office is the prosecuting agency. Teresa Dudley is the Victim Services Coordinator. Contact her for more information regarding restitution or other related questions you may have.

Teresa Dudley
Victim Services Coordinator
Steele Count y Attorney’s Office
303 S. Cedar
Owatonna, MN 55060
507-444-7780

Anyone with questions about an abstract or other documents being stored by Albert Lea Abstract may contact the legal representative for the business and set up a time to pick up your documents. Please send your written requests to:

Ken White
Attorney At Law
Suite 200
212 Madison Ave.
Mankato, MN 565001

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Albert Lea PD / Commerce joint statement

Following the execution of search warrants on Tuesday, June 22, the Albert Lea Abstract Company and Strong Agency Inc. were closed. Both the Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) and the Minnesota Department of Commerce are working to ensure that customers of either business will not be adversely affected, and will offer assistance to those who have questions.

For scheduled closings with Albert Lea Abstract:
If you have a closing scheduled with the Albert Lea Abstract Company, contact the ALPD. They will need your name, scheduled closing date, and any other relevant information (such as whether you were planning on using the federal home ownership tax credit). The ALPD is working with the Department of Commerce to ensure that scheduled closings occur as soon as is possible. Contact Chief of Police Dwaine Winkels at 507-377-5209. Please complete the following form and return to the Law Enforcement Center:

Albert Lea Abstract Form

For questions about insurance obtained through Strong Agency:
• If you know the name of the insurance company, contact the company directly.
• If the policy is on property on which you have a loan (such as a home or auto), your lender may have coverage information.
• If you are unsure about which company your policy is with and you believe you purchased it through the Strong Agency, contact the Department of Commerce at 1-800-657-3602 (651-296-2488 within the Twin Cities area) or email: market.assurance@state.mn.us