A former University Estates accountant is accused of stealing about $19,000 during the six months of his employment.
Joseph Armbruster, 33, of Jacksonville, pleaded not guilty on April 1 to 13 counts of forgery and grand theft. Bond was set at $10,000 with 10 percent allowed, and he was released the same day.
He allegedly stole $5,159 by doubling his paycheck and kept a total of $4,000 from company deposits, according to a press release from the Athens County Prosecutor's Office. Armbruster also forged 15 checks, which amounted to $9,287.
University Estates is an 830-acre housing development on State Route 682 that includes a golf course, club house, gated community condominiums, single family homes and other amenities.
Although University Estates President Richard Conard said he was suspicious about his high labor costs, he was not aware of the thefts until the bank alerted him.
In the future I will get a criminal background check on anyone I hire
Conard said. I got good recommendations on him and didn't think it was necessary. I could have found out he was on parole for stealing ... from a previous employer.
University Estates has not hired a replacement for Armbruster. 1
News
Rebecca Black
