In brief: Ex-CASA leader denies stealing from group

A woman accused of stealing money from the nonprofit organization she once led pleaded not guilty Tuesday to 19 felony wire fraud charges. A trial is scheduled for June 18.

Rhonda Naylor, also known as Rhonda Richardson, is accused of stealing about $2,400 from North Idaho’s Court Appointed Special Advocates program and lying to a federal agent.

Naylor allegedly told an FBI agent she purchased more than $200 in clothing for a young CASA client with self-esteem problems, but a federal grand jury found she bought the clothes for herself. The wire fraud charges are for allegedly using CASA’s debit card and withdrawing funds from the bank account 19 times.

Naylor resigned as executive director of CASA in 2004 after allegations of embezzlement and financial mismanagement. An audit revealed about $60,000 was missing or mismanaged during her tenure.

Each count of wire fraud carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Lying to a federal agent is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

– Meghann M. Cuniff

Coffee shop ex-owner pleads not guilty

Little Seattle’s former owner pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of using false identification to hide $22,000 from the sale of the coffee shop from creditors.

A trial for Craig A. Burgess was set for June 12.

Burgess and his wife, Nancy G. Burgess, owned Little Seattle along with Red Rooster Trading, a kitchen supply store in Coeur d’Alene, according to court documents.

In 1999 the couple used the names Gerald W. May and Lauren E. May and false Social Security numbers to get a $20,000 business loan from Washington Trust Bank for Red Rooster Trading, a federal grand jury found. The loan was renewed for $80,000, court documents said.

The couple also used the fake names and identification to apply for a business credit card and establish credit at U.S. Bank, court documents said. In 2001, they filed for bankruptcy under the assumed names, listing debts of more than $650,000.

The couple fraudulently concealed $22,000 from the sale of Little Seattle that should have been disclosed during the bankruptcy proceeding, court records said.

– Staff reports

Ramsey Road work to cause closures

Crews will begin widening Ramsey Road on Monday, meaning street closures and delays.

Coeur d’Alene is widening the road to five lanes between Hanley Avenue and Prairie Avenue.

Construction will last until mid-August and close Ramsey Road during portions of the work. The city will post detour routes.

The project will include the installation of sewer and water lines, curbs, gutters and streetlights.

For more information, call Project Manager Dick Suchocki at (208) 769-2219.

– Erica Curless