A local man accused of misusing company funds was indicted by the November grand jury, courthouse officials said.
According to Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing, Jerry Leon Kaundart, Sr., 46, 3200 Franklin 61, Spruce Pine, was indicted on one count of first-degree theft of property.
Rushing said Kaundart is accused of stealing funds from a local business where he was employed at the time the theft occurred in December of 2011.
According to Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett, another employee of the business where Kaundart was employed noticed errors in bills they were receiving from a local auto parts store.
Hargett said it appeared the company was buying parts from the store that were not needed.
“When they started checking into the discrepancies, it appeared Mr. Kaundart had been purchasing auto parts for his own personal use with the business’s credit card,” Hargett said.
“Mr. Kaundart had been authorized to use the business credit card, but he hadn’t been given permission to buy parts to fix his own vehicles or other items.”
Hargett said the parts he purchased with the business’s credit card totaled over $2,500, which warranted the first-degree theft charge.”
Rushing said Kaundart would have an arraignment hearing on Jan. 13 and his case would be placed on the criminal trial docket the week of Feb. 4.