Former Hacienda bookkeeper accused of check fraud embezzlement
A former bookkeeper for the now closed Hacienda Cantina and Beach Club in Palm Springs has pleaded not guilty to charges that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from the restaurant by forging one of the former owner’s names on checks.
Robert Wills, 59, was arrested on June 24 on Desert Way in Palm Springs.
KESQ and CBS Local 2 obtained a court document on Wednesday in which the Palm Springs Police Department states Wills knowingly forged and embezzled over $26,000 in funds through check fraud between April 28, 2015 and December 21, 2015 while he was employed as a bookkeeper for the business.
Wills reportedly forged 20 checks by signing Heidi Meaney’s name to them, then reportedly cashed them and deposited the funds in his account. He also reportedly stole some pre-signed checks from the safe which were then made payable to him.
According to PSPD Sergeant William Hutchinson, Heidi Meany discovered that Wills had written or forged more than $13,000 worth of checks and misappropriated more than $26,000 in funds.
Sgt. Hutchinson said officers can’t release exact details because of the current status of the investigation.
Detectives requested the following charges for review:
Forgery (>$950)- FELONY; Wills forged the signature of the victim on checks totaling $13,400
Forgery (>$950)- FELONY; Wills knowingly altered and passed forged checks totaling $13,400
Grand Theft- FELONY; Wills intentionally misappropriated $26,280 from his employer
Embezzlement- FELONY; Wills intentionally and fraudulently appropriated $26,280 from his employer
Burglary (2nd)- FELONY; Wills purposefully entered a bank with the intent to commit grand larceny and other felonies
Forgery- FELONY; Wills intentionally passes fictitious checks with the intent to defraud $26,280
Identity Theft – FELONY; Wills used personal identifying information per PC 530.55 by signing the victim’s name and obtains monetary credit
Identity Theft FELONY; Wills conveys personal identifying information (name) of the victim
Officials with the Palm Springs Police Department also state that they found four security surveillance photos of Robert Wills depositing four of the alleged checks. Wills was booked on forgery, grand theft, embezzlement and burglary, but he’s only being charged for grand theft.
Wills is currently out of jail and is due back in court on July 8.
The Hacienda Cantina and Beach club closed last November after allegations surfaced that the owner, Richard Meaney, hired then Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet as a consultant. The restaurant had received tax payer money during that time.
An investigation is still ongoing after several law enforcement agencies raided Palm Springs City Hall last September.
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