Man charged in alleged embezzlement scheme
A Wisconsin man faces charges of theft and other financial crimes after, prosecutors say, he stole more than $150,000 from his former employer.
The man is charged with forgery, using fraudulent cash and credit advances, and stealing money from daily sales and gift certificates.
According to a news report, the man worked as a bookkeeper at a coffee house between 2010 and 2013. He had previously served three years in a federal prison on embezzlement charges.
The coffee house owner said she knew his history and decided he needed a second chance. However, she eventually began to suspect him of stealing from her business, and reported him to Madison police. Oddly, it took six years before police charged him.
In criminal law, the term "statute of limitations" refers to a time limit on when prosecutors can bring charges on an alleged crime. The purpose is to make sure that prosecutions are based on strong evidence. There are no such limits on murder, sex crimes involving children, kidnapping and several other types of charges, but the statute expires within a few years for many other types of crimes.
However, it's important to note that, generally speaking, the statute of limitations clock only runs while the defendant is openly living in the state where the crime allegedly occurred. If the person goes in hiding, or leaves the state, the clock is paused.
Everyone who is accused of a crime deserves a defense. A skilled criminal defense attorney can help the accused understand their options to fight for their future.
