Following a two-day trial, a Buchanan County jury convicted Candy Michelle Phillips of two counts of felony stealing. Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Joshua Bachman and Chad Gaddie presented evidence to the twelve jurors, showing Phillips had stolen rent money from tenants at Chatsworth Apartments.
Tenants testified that they paid their monthly rent to Phillips in cash. Accounting and banking records presented by the prosecution revealed many of the tenants’ payments were never recorded or deposited in the business’s checking account. Robert Jenkins, the owner of the complex, testified that Phillips had been the property manager for a number of years. Jenkins said that when Phillips was questioned about the irregularities in the bookkeeping she admitted to altering the books then did not show up to work the next day. The business’s receipt books were also missing after Phillips left, according to several witnesses.
Phillips testified for the jury, denied stealing, and claimed other employees had access to the funds. The jury did not accept the alternative explanation and returned a guilty verdict on both counts after about 90 minutes of deliberation.
Sentencing is set for December 30th before the Honorable Patrick K. Robb.