A 43-year-old Gardnerville Ranchos man was jailed Monday on $10,000 cash bail accused in a check-cashing scheme that resulted in the imprisonment of his alleged co-defendant.
Charles J. Matthews was charged with forgery in connection with the embezzlement of more than $9,000 from the Village Motel.
"I am going to vehemently fight this," Matthews told East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl on Wednesday.
"I was in here buying a Mike Biaggini sticker when I was arrested. I had no idea this was happening," Matthews said.
He told EnEarl he was unemployed and had no money to hire an attorney.
EnEarl appointed lawyer Derrick Lopez to represent him.
His next court appearance is April 28.
EnEarl declined to lower Matthews' $10,000 cash bail.
"I've been active in Pop Warner. I am not a flight risk. I have made all my court appearances in the past. I am clean and sober," Matthews said.
Matthews is accused of forging checks from the Village Motel between Aug. 28 and Nov. 10, 2009.
Sarah McKinnis, 34, the ex-manager of the Gardnerville motel, was sentenced Monday to up to three years in prison for embezzlement.
According to court reports, McKinnis reportedly wrote checks to several of her friends, including Matthews, for everything from labor, to groceries and supplies, and reimbursement.
Matthews was the only person actually employed by the motel, but the checks were not payroll, according to the owner.
Matthews also was named with McKinnis as a suspect in the theft of a $700 television from Walmart. According to McKinnis, she sold the stolen set for $300 and used the money to purchase drugs.
She admitted being a heroin addict.
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