Hearing postponed in embezzlement case

SANDPOINT — A continuance has been granted in the case of former Coldwater Creek employee accused of embezzling from her employer and the Panhandle Alliance For Education.

Susan Alene Hopkins’ preliminary hearing was set for Wednesday. It’s now set for June.

Meanwhile, a plea agreement appears to be pending, although the terms have not been disclosed.

The hearing to determine if Hopkins should stand trial on two counts of grand theft was postponed to resolve the matter of defense counsel. The defense also sought a postponement because of voluminous discovery materials in the case.

Hopkins, 53, of Kootenai, allegedly cut ties with the private counsel who was representing her because she could no longer afford it. Chief Deputy Public Defender Janet Whitney was appointed to represent her, but Whitney subsequently moved to be released from the case.

Whitney noted that Hopkins’ financial statement to the court indicated she was making substantial payments to various creditors, was consulting with a bankruptcy attorney and has spousal income of about $2,370, according to court documents.

“Defendant should not be allowed to use her funds for personal debt issues while expecting the citizens of Bonner County to shoulder a lengthy and expensive theft case investigation,” Whitney said in her motion.

Judge Barbara Buchanan declined to grant Whitney’s motion following a hearing on Friday. However, she advised Hopkins that she would be held financially responsible for the defense costs in her case, court records indicate.

Hopkins, also known as Susan Scott, was a former assistant to a Coldwater Creek executive. She’s accused of using a company expense account to rack up as much as $260,000 in unauthorized charges.

Hopkins committed the thefts at Coldwater Creek from 2006 to 2010, charging papers allege. She was later charged with stealing money from PAFE, which promotes education and community support for the Lake Pend Oreille School District.

Coldwater Creek is a loyal supporter of PAFE and has hosted fundraising golf tournaments for the group. Bonner County Deputy Prosecutor Larry Goins said Hopkins misappropriated up to $15,000 from PAFE between 2008 and 2010.

Hopkins was not an employee of PAFE and held no position with the group, but used her position with Coldwater to allegedly fleece PAFE.

Hopkins is free on her own recognizance while the case is pending.