Borrowed, Not Stolen

The Defendant was the finance and insurance manager at a car dealership, entrusted with access to the company safe. Furious at a subordinate finance manager whom he wanted the dealership to fire, the Defendant removed roughly $30,000 in cash and checks from the safe one night. His plan, he said, was to make the subordinate look untrustworthy and force his dismissal — not to enrich himself. The Defendant hid the money for about two weeks, then returned all of it, untouched, before any charges were filed. The Prosecution charged him with embezzlement. At trial, the court refused to let the Defense tell the jury that the money had been given back.