Reportedly stole more than $200,000

EPHRATA - A former employee of the Grant County Economic Development Council (EDC) entered a plea of not guilty to charges of forgery, identity theft and theft Tuesday.

Melissa B. Schindler of Moses Lake faces 19 counts of forgery, one count of first degree identity theft and one count of first degree theft, according to Grant County Superior Court records.

She is accused of writing 96 checks between 2006 and early 2008 for $206,444 and using her husband's company credit card to make $1,694 in purchases from Staples.

Chris Ries, an accountant for the EDC, discovered the money was missing in January 2008, according to court documents. When the accountant investigated, he found unauthorized checks with forged signatures of EDC Executive Director Terry Brewer. Brewer stated he did not sign the checks, and allegedly Schindler was the only person with access to the council's bank accounts.

If convicted, each count of forgery has a maximum sentence of five years and a $10,000 fine. Identity theft has a maximum sentence of 10 years and could have a $20,000 fine. The maximum penalty for first degree theft is 10 years and a $20,000 fine.

- Staff report