STANWOOD — A judge has dismissed the case against a Freemason from Stanwood charged with stealing nearly $23,000 from a charity fund for widows and orphans.
Court records show that Dennis Withers, 61, completed a felony diversion program earlier this year. Deputy prosecutor Timothy Geraghty filed a motion to dismiss his case this month. It was granted by Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Anita Farris.
In 2016, Withers was elected secretary and treasurer of the Free and Accepted Masons Camanio Lodge No. 19, the oldest Masonic lodge in Snohomish County. The group opened its Widows and Orphans Fund that same year. The purpose of the fund was to support family when a local member of the fraternal organization died by writing a $1,000 check to their family. It was Withers’ job to keep the fund going, asking members for a contribution of $25 or so.
In 2020, the president of the local chapter reported the apparent embezzlement. Charging papers say the president gave a detective an audit of the account, including copies of associated checks and bank statements.
A detective reportedly found withdrawals for $11,800 between July and October 2018, and another $11,150 in electronic transfers to a Washington Federal bank account belonging to Withers, made between December 2018 and May 2019.
At his Moses Lake home, Withers allegedly told authorities he made withdrawals so he could pay contractors to build a garage on a property he owned in Chelan. He also reportedly said he made transfers to his account to help cover his monthly expenses, about $5,000. He received $2,800 per month from unemployment.
Court records show Withers had no prior felony record in Washington. His completion of the Snohomish County Felony Diversion Program meant the felony charges against him were dropped. As part of the program, Withers was required to pay restitution in full.
Withers’ defense attorney did not immediately return a Daily Herald reporter’s phone call request for comment.
Ellen Dennis: 425-339-3486; ellen.dennis@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @reporterellen.
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