Richard Ockey released on bail

The Daily Inter Lake

Richard Ockey posted bond and was released from the Flathead County jail on Monday morning.

Ockey and his wife, Amy, operated Keystone Contractors, a now-closed construction company that is accused of defrauding customers, employees and creditors.

Richard Ockey was released on a $150,000 property bond posted by friends of his family. He has been charged with felony theft.

According to court documents, Ockey bought a 2005 Chevy Express van from Eisinger Motors on Oct. 28. He signed an affidavit saying there were no liens against his 1999 GMC pickup, which was used as a trade-in. The dealer gave Ockey at $9,000 credit for the truck and later found there was a lien of $10,000 against it.

Ockey also is accused of taking about $28,000 from a couple for whom he was building a home. Court documents say that the couple paid Keystone for floor trusses and foundation backfilling that were not delivered or completed.

They also allegedly paid Keystone $10,500 for work on their foundation and basement floor performed by Rhino Construction - a subcontractor that reportedly was not paid by Keystone.

As the only condition of his release, Ockey cannot have any contact with prosecution witnesses involved in his case.

Amy Ockey was released Thursday on a $150,000 property bond posted by her husband's parents. She has been charged with writing bad checks amounting to $151,000.

Many customers who contracted with Keystone Construction for home construction work allege that the Ockeys, both 32, took payment but did not complete the work.

Suppliers and subcontractors say the Ockeys have not paid them for work that was completed or materials that were provided.