Caregiver denies stealing $136,000

A Kalispell man has pleaded not guilty to felony theft after allegedly embezzling $136,000 from a man he was taking care of.

Jack Role, 66, entered the plea Thursday in Flathead District Court.

A court document states Role had been contracted by the man’s children to take care of their father for $1,500 per month. As part of the job, Role had access to the man’s bank accounts.

The document alleges that an accounting check determined approximately $136,000 was missing after Role had been in charge of the accounts for three years. Role later admitted he “lost it” while dealing with the man and withdrew the money to gamble at casinos.

Most of the missing money was allegedly taken out of automated teller machines by Role.

His next hearing is set for April 9.