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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend February 18, 2006 Michael Lee Acton Suspect accused of embezzlement A bookkeeper with a recent history of theft and racketeering convictions is suspected of embezzling more than $30,000 from a Medford appliance store. Michael Lee Acton, 47, appeared Friday in Jackson County Circuit Court on 13 counts of first-degree theft, racketeering and a probation violation in connection with crimes allegedly committed between May 2005 and January 2006, Medford police Sgt. Brett Johnson said in a news release. On Feb. 9, Larson’s Home Furnishings management told Medford police that that Acton had committed several thefts by submitting invoices for services he never performed. He was employed as a private contractor whose duties included accounting services and financial reviews. The store claims Acton reaped more than $30,000 in excess wages during his tenure with the company. Larson’s Home Furnishings officials did not return phone calls requesting comment Friday. Acton is no stranger to law enforcement. In a year of employment from 2002-03, he nearly toppled a Christian software company in Medford after writing himself checks from the company’s business account and fudging the books to hide the missing money. He pleaded guilty in 2004 to stealing $102,000 from N’Lightning Software Development Inc., which creates Bible-themed video games. Following discovery of the theft, N’Lightning was forced to lay off 11 employees. Acton was ordered in August 2004 to serve 310 days in prison and repay the $102,000 in that crime. Acton told Circuit Court Judge Lorenzo Mejia at the time that he was drinking heavily when employed by the Medford company and has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He apologized for the crime. Acton also was convicted on Jan. 13, 2005, of stealing $20,000 from two Portland companies, state court records show. He remained lodged in jail late Friday on $500,000 bail. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations Casinos Canada dvd-r Generic Viagra Myspace Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Student Loans Sudoku Online Advertisement s Advertisement