COURT News:

A criminal summons was issued July 2 for Susan Price, 55, of White Rock on a charge of third degree embezzlement of more than $2,500 from Zia Realty Group where she was employed as a bookkeeper.

A hearing date is set for July 27 before Los Alamos Magistrate Judge Pat Casados.

Court documents filed by Los Alamos Police Det. Joseph Robinson indicate that Zia Realty Group owners James and Jacqueline Chrobocinski reported to him in November that while Price was on vacation Jacqueline discovered abnormalities in the amounts paid to three contractors hired by Zia Realty Group. Records showed that hours had been added to timesheets submitted by the contractors but the contractors said they were only paid for the hours they actually worked.

During the investigation, Robinson’s report indicates bank officials said Price often brought in checks for cash with explanations in the comments section such as “$380 X 3” for work on a property. The Chrobocinskis also gave Robinson several receipts submitted by Price for which she was reimbursed after she allegedly used company money to buy dozens of personal items. Price allegedly paid for all purchases with her own money and was reimbursed by the company for the personal items, which are listed in detail in Robinson’s statement of probable cause.

The Chrobocinski’s also reported that no coins were turned in from laundry machines at one of their properties for three months and that those machines had produced a monthly average of $318. Price also allegedly received a $1,500 pay advance and only paid back $900 to the company. Robinson’s report also indicates that two employees wrote statements alleging Price approached them “about how she could obtain drugs”. Robinson also was given an email allegedly written in January by Price indicating that she had entered a rehabilitation program for treatment of an addiction to prescription medication, according to the report.