Man charged with embezzlement
A 27-year-old Flathead County man has been charged with felony theft and official misconduct after allegedly embezzling more than $28,000 from Three Rivers Emergency Medical Service.
Cody James Westgard resigned as secretary/treasurer of the emergency response unit June 23 after board members questioned him about missing money, according to court documents.
He turned himself in Wednesday after an arrest warrant was issued Dec. 21.
Westgard was authorized to make transactions on three bank accounts owned by the Three Rivers Emergency Medical Service, which serves Columbia Falls and surrounding areas.
A Flathead County Sheriff’s Office detective determined that $6,142 was transferred to Westgard via checks drawn on Three Rivers’ accounts.
Westgard allegedly used another $3,984 in direct payments for a number of items not listed in court documents.
He allegedly made cash withdrawals totalling $22,750 on a Three Rivers account at the Whitefish Credit Union. During the same period he made deposits of $4,500, according to court documents.
The total amount allegedly embezzled was $28,376.
On June 24, a day after his resignation, Westgard informed the board of directors that he had paid back all the money stolen after making a cash deposit to a Three Rivers account, according to court documents.
The maximum penalty for theft by embezzlement is 10 years in prison and a fine of $500. Misdemeanor official conduct is punishable by a fine of $500 and six months in county jail.
Westgard still was being held in the Flathead County Detention Center with bail set at $25,000 as of Thursday night.
Westgard is the second former emergency services official this year charged with embezzling money.
Ross Barker, 57, pleaded not guilty to theft and official misconduct Dec. 9 after he was arrested for allegedly bilking the Hungry Horse Fire Department of $2,600 when he served on its board of directors.
An arraignment has not yet been scheduled for Westgard.
Reporter Eric Schwartz may be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at eschwartz@dailyinterlake.com.