You do the crime, do the time

A convicted thief keeps astoundingly compounding his crime.

Richard Charles Ekstedt, 58, of Marysville, was convicted of stealing more than $370,000 from the Everett American Legion Post over two years. Ekstedt skipped his sentencing hearing last week. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Ekstedt missed a Dec. 15 sentencing hearing because he had suffered a mild heart attack. In late December, Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Ronald Castleberry gave Ekstedt more time to get his heart and diabetes stabilized, but told him to be ready to be taken into custody Jan. 31 – the sentencing Ekstedt skipped.

It’s probably common for crooks to have no shame, but come on. This guy admitted he took the money, but won’t pay the consequences. He allegedly used the money to gamble, leaving $18 in the legion’s account. Before admitting his guilt, he told legion officials he had put the money in an investment account. On Jan. 18, a private investigator hired by the legion caught Ekstedt on video in a bar, apparently drinking beer.

Castleberry made it clear on the warrant that he, not another judge, will deal with Eskstedt when he is brought in. Here’s hoping the good judge will throw the book at him.