An Arlee man is accused of receiving funding from unemployment benefits based on false statements. Thomas L. Howard, 59, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson March 18 to felony charges of theft and making false claims to public agency.

According to court records and information gathered by a fraud investigator within the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, on July 25, 2018, Howard allegedly made false claims for unemployment benefits in Lake County. Records show that on 20 separate occasions Howard made claims, totaling $6,907, he was not entitled to receive.

Howard falsely claimed that on July 16, 2018, he was terminated from his job with River City Corporation in order to receive the unemployment benefits.

Judge Molly Owen set the case for trial on Aug. 31. Howard is released from custody on his own recognizance.