Gordon woman accused of stealing from housing authority and baseball program reaches plea agreement

GORDON, Neb. - A Gordon woman who is accused of stealing from both the Rushville Housing Authority and the Sheridan County American Legion baseball program has reached a plea deal. Krystal Freeseman had been charged with two counts of theft by deception, two counts of second-degree forgery, and two counts of theft by unlawful taking. Under the agreement, she pled guilty to the two felony theft by deception counts, and the other charges were dropped.

Freeseman was the Rushville Housing Authority Executive Director. News Channel Nebraska previously reported that Nebraska’s state auditor was investigating Freeseman for allegedly embezzling tens of thousands of dollars.

The auditor’s office had accounted for a total of $31,016.52 that Freeseman is accused of stealing from the Housing Authority. State Auditor Mike Foley noted that Freeseman reimbursed the authority $13,179.26 in February 2024 after realizing her alleged wrongdoings were being uncovered.

“As auditors often remark allegorically, however: One cannot rob a bank on Monday and, when caught, partially repay the bank on Tuesday and expect no consequences. A robbery is a robbery,” an auditor’s press release reads.

According to the Sheridan County Legion Baseball Program, Freeseman stole at least $20,000 from the organization.

In addition to pleading guilty to two charges, Freeseman has agreed to pay restitution. Both charges are Class IIA felonies under Nebraska law, carrying a potential penalty ranging from no imprisonment to a maximum of 20 years. Her sentencing is set for March 11.