Mediation continues in theft case

SANDPOINT — A pretrial hearing in a felony theft case is being put on hold while civil mediation in the case continues.

Another pretrial hearing in Samantha Sue Wasylko’s case is set for Sept. 20 in 1st District Court, court records show. She is charged with grand theft and is free on her own recognizance while the case is pending.

Wasylko, a 43-year-old Sagle resident, embezzled funds from the Pend Oreille Midwifery Clinic over a 10-month period in 2015, a criminal complaint alleges. Wasylko was employed as the clinic’s office manager at the time of the thefts.

The case emerged last year, after the company’s accountant reviewed the clinic’s financial records and discovered there were irregularities, according to preliminary hearing testimony. Wasylko allegedly pocketed cash payments she collected and then used her log-in credentials in a bookkeeping program to omit references to the payments.

Wasylko is accused of withholding more than $10,000 in cash payments, according to court documents.

Wasylko invoked her right to remain silent during the preliminary hearing and did not testify. Her defense counsel, Sandpoint attorney Jeremy Featherston, sought to raise doubts about his client’s involvement by noting that others in the clinic could have used Wasylko’s credentials.

Wasylko pleaded not guilty to the charge last fall.

Judge Justin Julian ruled there was sufficient evidence to warrant a trial in district court. Wasylko pleaded not guilty and the case was ordered into mediation last spring.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.