Hart woman accused of embezzling from Gale’s IGA.

Routley

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.

HART — Laura Routley, 49, of 765 E. Hazel Rd., Hart, turned herself in to the Hart Police Department last Friday, Feb. 12, and was arraigned in 78th District Court on a felony charge of embezzlement $20,000-$50,000.

Hart Police Chief Dan Leimback said Routley embezzled approximately $50,000 over the course of seven years, dating back to 2009 until January of 2016, from Gale’s IGA grocery store.

The maximum penalty for the charge is 10 years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine or three times the amount embezzled, whichever is greater, according to 78th District Court staff. Her bond was set at $10,000/surety/10 percent, which she posted.

Routley is scheduled for a preliminary conference Monday, Feb. 22, at 3 p.m.