Woman Accused Of Faking MS, Stealing From Charity

ALEXANDRIA  (AP) - A Minnesota woman is accused of lying about having multiple sclerosis and stealing money from a charity ride.

A criminal complaint filed in Douglas County charges Penny Jo Haupt of Park Rapids with two felonies. She's accused of stealing more than $1,000 from a bank account set up for contributions to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Haupt headed a Motorcycling for Mobility ride in August 2009 and told supporters she was suffering from MS.

The complaint says that when Haupt asked another woman, Kelly Harris, to take over as treasurer for another ride in August 2010, Harris became suspicious, went to the bank and discovered checks from the account had been written for personal expenses. The complaint says $1,500 was unaccounted for.

Harris went to the sheriff's department. Haupt is due in court April 25.

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