Harlan Douglass alleges additional thefts by former personal assistant

Developer Harlan Douglass has asked a judge to seize an expensive pickup, boat, boat trailer and other items owned by his former personal assistant because he claims the money used to purchase them was stolen from him.

A criminal investigation is ongoing, and Bryan J. Reilly, the former assistant, hasn’t been charged with a crime.

Douglass filed a civil suit against Reilly in January, accusing him of stealing more than $400,000 in cash from a safe at the developer’s home. New court documents in that case allege Reilly stole and sold thousands of dollars worth of gold, coins and jewelry belonging to Douglass since 2013.

Business and bank records show that Reilly sold two rings and two Rolex watches that reportedly belonged to Maxine and Harlan Douglass and deposited the proceeds into his bank account, according to court documents. Douglass’ attorney, Steven Hassing, said coins and gold are missing from Douglass’ home and that Reilly sold gold and coins to a local business.

“Is that circumstantial?” Hassing said. “Is that a coincidence?”

Bank records show that Reilly deposited more than $146,000 in cash in his bank accounts even though he made about $11,000 a year as Douglass’ personal assistant, Hassing said. In a court hearing Friday, Hassing asked that Reilly’s property be seized to prevent him from selling or hiding it.

Reilly’s attorney, Kevin Roberts, called the civil lawsuit a “vigilante action to usurp the criminal investigation.” He argued that other people could have taken the missing money in September, including Douglass’ son and daughter-in-law.

Roberts asked that the civil case be put on hold until the criminal investigation into Reilly is complete because he can’t adequately defend himself against both at the same time.

“Maybe it will all go away,” Roberts said. “Maybe the police will find out who really did it.”

Hassing argued that there is no doubt Reilly sold items belonging to the Douglasses and that taking the $400,000 in cash was a “grand finale” before a security system was activated.

All other persons of interest were cleared in the criminal investigation, Hassing said, including Douglass’ family members.

Judge Michael Price is expected to make a decision on the proposed asset seizure early next week.