Gold Bar bookkeeper charged with theft

Published 12:01 am Saturday, April 2, 2011

SNOHOMISH — A bookkeeper from Gold Bar was charged Friday with first-degree theft for allegedly embezzling more than $205,000 from a construction company.

Elizabeth A. Branham, 42, reportedly admitted taking the money after American Building and Roofing, Inc. realized that its accounts were short, according to documents filed in Snohomish County Superior Court.

Audits confirmed multiple instances where cash was diverted and ledger entries faked between January 2009 and May 2010, court papers said.

Prosecutors filed the case as a “major economic offense,” an indication that they might seek a longer sentence than is typical if Branham is convicted.