Case expands against accused embezzler

SANDPOINT — A theft case pending against a former Oldtown grocery store manager has mushroomed.

Bonner County prosecutors have filed an amended criminal complaint against Jasen W. Johnson alleging he stole more than $439,000 from his former employer over a seven-year period.

The amended complaint was filed on Nov. 18. It supplants a criminal complaint filed five months ago that accused Johnson of stealing more than $1,000 from Family Foods over a four-day period last spring.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 27, 2010. It’s the seventh time the hearing, in which a judge determines if there’s enough evidence to justify a trial, has been set.

The hearing has been put off repeatedly because of attorney scheduling conflicts, ongoing plea negotiations and evidence review, according to court documents.

Johnson, a 48-year-old Oldtown resident, is free on his own recognizance while the case is pending.

Unsealed probable cause hearing testimony indicates Johnson allegedly committed the thefts by entering bogus merchandise returns into the store’s computer and pocketing the cash. Johnson is accused of postdating transactions to busy times of day so they would not be as conspicuous.

Meanwhile, the owners of Food Fresh have filed a civil suit against Johnson. The suit alleges the amount of embezzled money surpasses $450,000 and Johnson’s misconduct dates back to the late 1990s.

In light of the potential criminal and civil judgments, counsel for Food Fresh hired a company which specializes in locating individuals’ assets. The analysis by IRBsearch was completed in August.

Fonda Jovick, attorney for Food Fresh, said in court documents that the IRBsearch report, along with reports from people with knowledge of the defendant’s activities and property “raises reasonable suspicion” that he is moving property outside the state, concealing property and/or selling it to unsuspecting parties.

The plaintiffs have been advised that Johnson purchased expensive pieces of jewelry and a Dodge Durango sport utility vehicle for his girlfriend, along with cases of wine and money orders, the suit said.

First District Judge Steve Verby signed an order Tuesday barring Johnson from transferring or selling property until a hearing in the civil suit can be held later this month.