On Wednesday, August 3, after deliberating for about 3 hours, a Superior Court returned a guilty verdict against Jody Boring. She was found guilty of Trafficking in Stolen Property in the Second Degree.  The jury also found as an aggravating circumstance, that this was a gross economic offense or a series of offenses.    The charges arouse out of the theft of aluminum from the Hewes Watercraft Company of Colville and its resale to a metal recycler.  Mr. Boring has previously pleaded guilty to Theft in the First Degree for stealing the metal.  Mrs. Boring delivered some of the loads of stolen aluminum to the metal recycler in Spokane.  The jury heard evidence that the theft occurred over a two year time and that the stolen metal was sold at scrap metal prices for nearly $200,000. The economic loss to the company caused serious problems and contributed to layoffs.  Sentencing is set for August 22 at 1:30 p.m.   Mr. Boring will be sentenced at the same time.

This office has filed additional charges against Herb Friedlander of Kettle Falls.  He has been previously charged with several counts of Cruelty to Animals and one count of Criminal Mistreatment of Kettle Falls resident, Francis Swan. As a result of an examination documents obtained in a search of Francis Swann’s home, an information has been filed charging five counts of Theft in the First Degree and four counts of Theft in the Second Degree. The charges allege that Mr. Friedlander bought such things as a bulldozer, horse trailer, vehicles, and other things with Ms. Swan’s funds. There were also sums of money that were sent to various people across the country and outside the United States.

I am happy to say that Mrs. Swan continues to convalesce in a local care facility.  Her family is looking after her situation and I understand they have filed a petition in Superior Court starting the process of appointing a member of her family to be her guardian.  There are many things that must be done in civil court in cases like these.  There are ways to recover property and to prevent the transfer of assets and cancel power of attorneys and such. In some ways the civil aspect of elder abuse cases can be more complicated with legal issues than the criminal aspect.

It is important to remember that just because charges have been filed; it does not mean the person charged is guilty.  A person is presumed to be innocent unless and until they are proven guilty or plead guilty.