Felony Theft Charged In Benefits Case

The state Department of Labor and Industries is seeking felony theft charges against a Ford man accused of fraudulently collecting $4,370 in worker’s compensation benefits.

The department says Randy L. Edmisten claimed he was unable to work because of a March 1993 workplace accident. But, while collecting state benefits last year, he was paid $8,081 for hauling $861,243 pounds of pulpwood to a paper mill.

The department ordered Edmisten to pay $6,557 in restitution and penalties, and wants Stevens County to charge him with theft.

Edmisten could not be reached for comment.