Man's sentence deferred for embezzlement

A Columbia Falls man has been given a deferred sentence after embezzling several thousand dollars from the Kalispell KFC restaurant.

Douglas Russell, 55, was given the six-year sentence March 20 in Flathead District Court. He had pleaded guilty by way of Alford to felony theft by embezzlement, accepting conviction while maintaining his innocence.

Russell embezzled more than $7,600 from the restaurant while he worked there by failing to make 14 deposits between Nov. 1 and 18, 2012.

In addition to handing down the deferred sentence, District Judge Robert Allison ordered Russell to pay nearly $4,600 in restitution to KFC and more than $2,600 in restitution to an insurance company.