MINNEAPOLIS —

Calling it a “sufficient but not greater than necessary” decision, U.S. District Court Judge David S. Doty on Tuesday sentenced former Freeborn County Commissioner Linda Tuttle to serve 42 months in federal prison for stealing more than $1 million from her client’s escrow accounts for personal use.

Tuttle, who appeared with her lawyer Kevin O’Connor Green of Mankato, will voluntarily surrender herself on a date requested by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. Though Doty recommended Tuttle spend her 3 1/2-year term at a women’s prison in Alderson, W.Va., the decision of where she will go will ultimately be determined by the bureau.

He also ordered Tuttle, whose full name is Linda K. Tuttle-Olson, to pay full restitution of $1.32 million to a reported 50 victims.

Tuttle, through tears, apologized to the judge, the victims and her friends and family prior to the order and said she would serve the sentence that was given.

The sentence came after Tuttle, 60, in April pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, a felony, as part of a plea agreement between her lawyer and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

She admitted to taking funds from the escrow accounts at her business, Albert Lea Abstract Co., and diverting them to her own purposes, much of which went to pursue a gambling addiction at an Iowa casino.

However, prosecutors argued that Tuttle’s theft also went to support an extravagant lifestyle, including shopping and trips.

Green called the case a “disturbing, warped case,” and noted that his client has since undergone treatment for gambling addiction.

He repeatedly made reference to Tuttle being on a prescription drug for restless legs syndrome that causes a side effect of compulsive behaviors such as gambling.

“It is very apparent the onset of gambling for her was coincidal with the onset of this drug,” Green said, noting that his client’s fall from grace has been a “plummet.”

He asked the judge to take Tuttle’s medical records into consideration when sentencing.

U.S. Attorney Nancy Brasel said while the government is not without sympathy for addiction, Tuttle’s case was not about addiction — it was about theft.

Brasel said Tuttle was in a position of trust at the time of the incidents — she was a county commissioner — and people thought their money was as safe with her as it would be in a bank.

“Her medication didn’t cause her theft,” she said, stating that Tuttle’s gambling stopped only when she got caught.

She supported a sentence of 63 to 78 months in prison.

About a handful of Tuttle’s reported victims also issued pleas to the judge to rule on the higher end of the allowed prison term, including associates of the Freeborn County Humane Society, former resident George Dress and others who had saved up many years for projects and then ultimately lost their money.

“We had tears and tears and tears when it was announced the money was no longer there,” said Steve Leuthold, who had donated $150,000 to the Humane Society that was ultimately taken by Tuttle.

Doty said he took into account the nature of Tuttle’s case and her circumstances and defended the ruling as being appropriate and reasonable.

While in prison, she will be required to complete an inmate financial responsibility program.

Following Tuttle’s release from prison, she will be on supervised release for three years with the U.S. Probation Office and must adhere to a long list of conditions.

The conditions included committing no crimes, having no controlled substances, not possessing firearms or ammunition, cooperating with requests for DNA samples and participating in a psychological counseling program.

Tuttle will be prohibited from opening new lines of credit without prior approval and from taking on any fiduciary responsibilities without prior approval.

Doty also ordered she not participate in any gambling and not go into casinos. This includes online gambling, charitable gambling and even the lottery.

“She’s OK with the sentence,” Green said. “It’s less than the government hoped for but more than we wanted.”