Family Foods theft trial on hold again

SANDPOINT — The trial of an Oldtown man accused of embezzling more than $430,000 from his former employer is being postponed again.

Jasen W. Johnson’s trial on a felony theft charge was scheduled for this month, but the state and the defense have stipulated to another continuance so additional forensic accounting and computer evidence can be analyzed. Bonner County Deputy Prosecutor Shane Greenbank and Johnson’s defense counsel, Michael Palmer, added in the motion to continue that negotiations are ongoing and that “the parties are considering alternative dispute resolution procedures.”

The alternative resolution procedures were not disclosed, court records show.

Johnson, 49, was charged in 2009 with using his knowledge of cash registers and accounting procedures to steal money from Oldtown Family Foods, where he was a longtime and trusted store manager.

Johnson allegedly used his familiarity with store operations to make hundreds of phony merchandise returns in order to pocket cash.

The alleged thefts occurred from 2002 to May 2009, charging papers said.

A judge ruled last year there was sufficient evidence to justify a trial in the matter. Johnson is pleading not guilty. A trial was set for last fall, but it was postponed so evidence continue to be evaluated.

Court records indicate sheriff’s investigators obtained a search warrant last October to examine a large number of money orders Johnson had obtained to pay personal bills, according to hearing testimony.

A new trial date in 1st District Court is pending.

Johnson is also a defendant in a civil suit brought by the owners of the grocery store.