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CLEAR Temp: 65 °F Wind: NW at 4 mph Tuesday, August 12, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 31, 2003 Embezzlement scheme said to net $200,000 Jackson County sheriff’s detectives have unraveled an alleged embezzlement scheme that filched hundreds of thousands of dollars from two White City businesses over the past four years. An independent audit of Panther Crushing Inc. and Shenandoah Inn Restaurant & Lounge, two businesses owned by William Link that share offices at 6061 Highway 62, uncovered the thefts last week, sheriff’s Detective Colin Fagan said. As investigators looked into the crimes, people who talked to detectives appear to have become targets for arson and vandalism, Fagan said. A suspect’s Central Point home was damaged in an arson fire early Saturday, and a car belonging to a new bookkeeper for the targeted companies was vandalized, he said. Both of those incidents are under investigation. The main investigation led to the arrest Wednesday of Christina Renee Burcher, 31, of the 2000 block of Marsh Lane, Medford. She was lodged in the Jackson County Jail on charges of racketeering, first- degree aggravated theft, first-degree forgery and two counts of falsifying business records. Bail was set at $43,000 and police might add charges, Fagan said. Advertisement Charges also are pending against Tawny Lee Glass, 37, of the 1000 block of Edwina Avenue in Central Point. Other associates of the two may face charges as well, Fagan said. Link hired Burcher as office manager and bookkeeper in September 1996, and Glass became her assistant in 1999, Fagan said. The thefts began that year as the two allegedly falsified timecards, issued themselves extra paychecks, wrote checks to friends and family members who didn’t work at either company, took cash, and didn’t pay their share of employee health insurance premiums, according to Fagan. To cover their tracks, police say they altered business records, such as showing legitimate payees in a ledger, but making checks out to themselves. In 2000 and 2001, the two were grossing monthly incomes of more than $7,000 each, despite the fact they only earned about $7 an hour, Fagan said. Burcher and Glass appear to have made off with at least $200,000 from the two businesses, he said. "These selfish activities endanger the livelihood of hardworking people at both businesses," Fagan said. Both Panther Crushing and Shenandoah Inn are well-established businesses that don’t appear to face financial trouble despite the thefts, he said. A search Wednesday at Burcher’s home uncovered business records allegedly stolen from Panther Crushing and Shenandoah Inn, Fagan said. The records appear to show links to other people who benefited from the thefts, he said. Investigators also found that Burcher took many collect calls from the Jackson County Jail. Inmates’ calls are recorded and investigators are reviewing those calls in search of more links to people getting fraudulent payments, Fagan said. Panther Crushing and Shenandoah Inn fired Burcher last week as the investigation unfolded, Fagan said. A new bookkeeper has taken over. Burcher and Glass didn’t file state or federal income tax returns, so Internal Revenue Service criminal investigators have joined the investigation. Oregon State Police arson investigators are looking into the fire at Glass’ home. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times