Kalispell man admits stealing unemployment benefits

A Kalispell man admitted Thursday to taking more than $11,000 in unemployment benefits from the state. 

Tony Molyneaux, 42, admitted that he claimed more than $15,000 in unemployment benefits between June 2011 and June 2012, after he reported that he had worked approximately 500 hours for Meat Production Inc. In reality, state inspectors found that Molyneaux had worked more than 2,200 hours and was only titled to approximately $4,000 in benefits. The state asked for a 33 percent penalty to be imposed, bringing the total amount owed up to $14,877. Molyneux has made two payments totaling $1,096 toward the alleged debt.

Flathead District Court Judge David Ortley noted that a deferred sentence has been recommended as part of the case, in which Molyneaux pleaded guilty to theft. Deferred sentences are typically offered to first-time nonviolent offenders. It allows a felony conviction to be removed from an individual’s record if he or she successfully completes probation. Ortley did note that he is not bound by the plea agreement.

“Ultimately you could be sentenced up to the maximum penalty for the offense of theft ... up to 10 years in Montana State Prison and a fine of $50,000,” Ortley said.

Molyneux is set to be sentenced on Jan. 12.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.