Restitution may ward off trial

SANDPOINT — A Sandpoint man accused of gaming Idaho’s jobless benefits system is making restitution to ward off being tried on multiple felony counts, court records show.

Edward LaFrance Houston was charged last year with 28 counts of using misrepresentations to obtain unemployment benefits. Charging documents allege he underreported or failed to report his income between 2009 and 2013.

As a result of the misrepresentations, Houston was paid as much as $7,800 in benefits to which he was not entitled, according to court documents.

Houston, 43, has already paid $5,000 in restitution, his attorney, Deputy Public Defender Susie Jensen, said during a status conference in 1st District Court on Monday, court records show.

Bonner County Deputy Prosecutor Roger Hanlon said the two payments Houston has made demonstrate good faith and a desire to resolve the matter, court documents said. Hanlon added that the total amount of restitution could come down upon further review.

Judge Barbara Buchanan said during the hearing that she wanted to see the case resolved, but agreed to set another status hearing in 90 days, court records show. If Houston can’t make full restitution by then, the case would be scheduled for trial.

A status conference is set for Nov. 21.

Jensen advised the court that Houston recently started his own limited liability corporation, but hasn’t been able to make any restitution payments since June due to a back injury, court records indicate.

Houston formed On Point Handyman Service in June, according to the Idaho Secretary of State’s website.