Denise Gaida, the elected Todd County auditor-treasurer, is facing felony charges after prosecutors say she forged and backdated a land deed that shifted property from her late brother into her and their mother’s names. Filed July 23 in Todd County District Court, the charges accuse Gaida of aggravated forgery and misconduct by a public official tied to a quitclaim deed covering two parcels near Browerville: a residential lot and about 21.25 acres, recorded in October 2024. Gaida, 59, of Browerville, remains in office and is listed as a candidate in this year’s election.
According to Fergus Now, prosecutors allege Gaida improperly notarized and backdated the quitclaim deed, and a handwriting expert concluded the signature on the document was not her brother’s. Investigators also told reporters they found quitclaim templates and related files on a county-issued laptop, which they say indicate the deed was created or altered on Gaida’s computer.
Investigation timeline
The Long Prairie Leader published the statement of probable cause, which lays out a detailed digital trail. Investigators say online searches for quitclaim templates were logged on Oct. 21, 2024, a fillable quitclaim form was saved to a county computer on Oct. 23, and the deed itself was recorded on Oct. 29, 2024. Todd County investigators seized Gaida’s county laptop, had it imaged by the BCA, and submitted documents to Midwest Questioned Documents for analysis. That analysis, the Leader reports, concluded it was “probable” the questioned signature was not produced by the same writer as known samples.
County response and office stability
Todd County Attorney John Lindemann told the Long Prairie Leader that, despite the charges, residents should not worry about the books or basic services. "The public should rest assured that Todd County financial operations remain accurate and secure, as supported by a recent independent audit, and there has not been, nor will there be, any disruption to Todd County services," Lindemann said. The county board retains authority to reassign discretionary duties, and local officials say options such as resignation or an appointment process would come into play if Gaida steps down.
Legal stakes
Under Minnesota law, aggravated forgery is a felony, as outlined in Minn. Stat. §609.625. The related counts here, including forgery and misconduct of a public officer, carry their own penalties under state statute. A fraud-related felony conviction would also put a notary commission at risk under Minn. Stat. §358.70, which allows the state to revoke a notary’s commission for crimes involving fraud, dishonesty, or deceit.
Next steps
Gaida’s first court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 22, according to KFGO. Prosecutors will proceed in Todd County District Court, where additional hearings will be set as the case moves through the local calendar.
What residents should know
The Todd County website lists the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office as the main contact point for questions about property taxes, deeds, and a range of county services, and provides the office address, phone number, and hours. Residents looking for more detail on the filing and the probable cause narrative can review reporting from Fergus Now and the local coverage referenced above.
