C-Falls man charged with embezzling at KFC

A 54-year-old Columbia Falls man will be sentenced for a single count of felony embezzlement on March 6.

Douglas Russell entered an Alford plea to the charge on Jan. 2, which means he claims he’s innocent but acknowledges overwhelming evidence against him.

He faced up to 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine if convicted, but in a plea agreement both the state and his public defender agreed to recommend to Flathead County District Court Judge Robert Allison that Russell receive a six-year deferred sentence. He would also be ordered to pay restitution and fines.

According to court records, the manager of the KFC restaurant in Kalispell told Kalispell police that an audit indicated Russell had not deposited $7,623 at Wells Fargo Bank from Nov. 1-18, 2012.

When interviewed by the manager, Russell allegedly said he “couldn’t remember” if he made the deposits. He was subsequently fired by KFC. Russell then declined to be interviewed by the investigating police officer.