Theft case lands former Mrs. America on probation
MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Two years of probation is the sentence for former Mrs. America Jennifer Kline, who was convicted in August of theft by swindle.
The case outlined by prosecutors described a sophisticated series of crimes committed by switching price tags on clothing items she had previously bought from the Mall of America's Macy's, subsequently returning them for large, fraudulent refunds.
The Hennepin County Attorney's office made the announcement Friday, with the judge allowing a "stay of imposition." If the former Mrs. Minnesota winner faithfully serves out her sentence, it will be reduced to a misdemeanor on her record.
Assistant Hennepin County Attorney Allison Ethen argued that Kline should serve time in a county workhouse and perform community service, though the judge went with a lighter sentence due to Kline's recent divorce, as well as her single motherhood and attention deficit disorder.
She won the Mrs. America pageant in 1989 and was a television personality on ShopNBC for a period of time.