West Glacier man sentenced for embezzling from medical response unit

A 29-year-old West Glacier man was given a six-year deferred sentence Thursday in Flathead District Court after admitting he embezzled money from the Three Rivers Quick Response Unit.

Cody Westgard was also ordered to pay more than $19,000 in restitution, although a document filed by the Flathead County Attorney’s Office initially alleged he had embezzled more than $28,000 from the organization.

Westgard was the response unit’s secretary/treasurer during the time in which the money was embezzled, between August 2006 and June 2010.

He transferred the money to his own account through checks and direct payments from the organization’s accounts.

District Judge Ted Lympus, who called Westgard’s actions “inexcusable,” also ordered him to pay a $500 fine and a $50 surcharge.