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A single typo erroneously sent a $2.6 million state check to a Hopkins High School employee who is charged with four felonies for allegedly spending much of the money on luxury cars, a U.S. treasury bond and an individual retirement account.
When Sabrina Walker, 37, appeared in Hennepin County District Court on Wednesday, she did not enter a plea. A warrant was issued for her boyfriend, Charles Lockhart, who authorities said helped spend the money.

The check was intended for the Hennepin County Medical Center, one of 17 hospitals receiving payment at the time, said Tim Wilkin, assistant Human Services commissioner. A single digit was typed wrong in the vendor number, and the check went to Walker. The typing was proofread by another employee, but the error was not spotted, Wilkin said.

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On April 2, Walker and Lockhart opened a joint portfolio account at Wells Fargo Bank at 80 S. 6th St. in Minneapolis. The account provided for checking privileges with the $100,000 opening deposit and a linked brokerage account of $2.4 million. Walker and Lockhart each also withdrew $10,000 in cash, according to the complaint.

Slightly more than a week later, Walker bought a certificate of deposit for $500,000 and individual retirement accounts (IRAs) for the tax years 2006 and 2007 for $8,000 total. More than a week after that, Walker and Lockhart met with a bank financial consultant and bought a U.S. treasury bond worth $500,000, the complaint said.

The two, who share an address in a house owned by Walker in the Camden neighborhood, also made various purchases with the money, including $5,500 in jewelry and $3,817 at Best Buy. They spent $2,069 on limousine services on April 18 and 27.

In April, Walker also bought a 1969 Buick Electra for $5,400 and a 2006 Chrysler Crossfire for $34,861. In May, Walker bought two more vehicles: a 2003 Land Rover Range Rover for $38,967 and a 2009 Land Rover LR2 for $39,971, the complaint said.

[ 01 June 2007: Message edited by: Sven ]