Moses Lake couple agrees to pay EDC

EPHRATA — A Moses Lake woman, who is facing charges of forgery, and her husband agreed to pay the Grant County Economic Development Council (EDC) more than $200,000.

Melissa B. Schindler, 27, and her husband Joshua E. Schindler, 33, entered a summary judgment agreeing to pay the EDC $203,115, according to Grant County Superior Court records. The money was split between a $183,943 charge and $18,201 in interest.

Melissa Schindler reportedly stole $206,444 from the EDC between 2005 and 2008, according to court records. While she was in charge of the council’s two bank accounts, she allegedly wrote 19 checks to herself ranging from $850 to $6,000.

She is charged with 19 counts of forgery, one count of identity theft in the first degree and one count of theft in the first degree. She pleaded not guilty to the charges on Sept. 2. A trial date is set for Jan. 27, 2009.

She also reportedly used her husband’s EDC credit card to purchase $1,694 worth of merchandise from Staples, according to the Moses Lake police report. An accountant noticed some missing entries he was doing the EDC’s 2007 taxes in January.

Melissa Schindler was placed on leave on Jan. 14, according to the police report. A couple of days later, she contacted Terry Brewer, the EDC’s executive director, and allegedly stated she had the missing records.

She reportedly met with Brewer and the EDC’s attorney Chris Ries on Jan. 22, according to the police report. She allegedly brought the files with her and described how she transferred money from the council’s money market account to the checking account and forged Brewer’s signature on check to herself.

At the meeting, she reportedly apologized and asked for her job back, according to witnesses.

Melissa Schindler reportedly told Brewer and Ries no one else was involved.

Melissa Schindler didn’t make any statements to the police, according to the police report.