An Albert Lea woman charged with stealing more than $4,000 from the Freeborn County DFL Party was placed on probation for five years on Thursday in Freeborn County District Court.

Laura Jean Walker, 39, was sentenced after she pleaded guilty to one count of felony financial transaction card fraud in late June. If she successfully completes probation, the severity of her conviction is expected to be reduced, according to the Freeborn County Attorney’s Office.

Court documents state Walker was charged after an investigation reportedly found 30 unauthorized transactions, two unauthorized fees and four unexplained deposits on the DFL account from Aug. 20, 2015, to Oct. 21, 2016. The total amount of unauthorized transactions and fees was $4,360 and four deposits that could not be explained were credited to the party’s account, leaving a $2,047 loss.

Walker, secretary of the Freeborn County DFL Party during the time of the incidents, admitted making unauthorized purchases on the party’s bank card for personal use when she pleaded guilty to the charge. She admitted knowing she was not authorized by the political party to make the purchases.

A photo of Walker was not available as of press time.