Friday, October 1, 2010

Employee admits to stealing

Tentative plea agreement reached in theft and forgery case

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By TERRY SMITH
Express Staff Writer

Jose Eduardo Schobert-Gonzalez

An employee of a Bellevue landscaping company admitted in Blaine County 5th District Court Wednesday to stealing from his employer.

In a plea agreement reached with the Blaine County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, 33-year-old Jose Eduardo Schobert-Gonzalez pleaded guilty to grand theft for allegedly misappropriating funds from All Seasons Landscaping. In exchange for his guilty plea, the prosecutor's office has agreed to have two counts of forgery dismissed.

However, according to the agreement, dismissal of the forgery charges is conditional on Schobert-Gonzalez's repaying about $24,000 to All Seasons Landscaping prior to sentencing on Nov. 8.

The agreement further provides that the prosecutor's office will recommend a suspended seven-year prison sentence, nine months in the county jail and three years probation.

What is referred to as a "Rule 11" provision is also part of the agreement. The provision allows a defendant to withdraw a guilty plea if a judge exceeds a prosecutor's recommended sentence.

Schobert-Gonzalez is accused of falsifying work reports for people who were no longer employed at All Seasons Landscaping, then allegedly collecting and cashing the checks.

Schobert-Gonzalez remained incarcerated Thursday in the Blaine County jail. Court records state that he is suspected of being in the United States illegally.

Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com

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