Rosalian faces theft charges

Charges of second degree theft and possession of stolen property were filed last Tuesday, Sept. 6, in superior court against Roberta A. Messinger, Rosalia. She has been summoned to appear in court Sept. 23.

The charges allege Messinger took $2,700, from the account of Studebaker Mfg. in Rosalia June 24, 2010. The sum allegedly was taken from the account of the Bank of Whitman branch at Rosalia.

Studebaker, Mfg., is one of the companies operated by Kelley Messinger and others in Rosalia. His spouse, Roberta Messinger, was active in the business but she left in November of 2009 and was removed from all accounts Nov. 19, 2009, according to the investigation report by Deputy Sgt. Donald Anderson, now retired from the sheriff’s office.

It notes Roberta Messinger filed for divorce from Kelley Messenger March 12, 2010. Court records show the divorce is still pending.

The investigation report alleges a check paid on account by one of the Studebaker Mfg. clients was placed in the Bank of Whitman account and later withdrawn. The sum was allegedly discovered missing when the customer was mistakenly billed again and responded by telling Kelley Messinger they had already sent a payment.

The report said Anderson had attempted to contact Roberta Messenger, and she advised him to contact her attorney who declined to be interviewed. The report said the investigation involved search warrants for bank records and internet transaction records.