10/9/12 - A trial is set later this month for a Livingston County man charged in Hawaii with embezzling money from a Kona coffee grower. 41-year-old John "Jason" Walaskay of Hamburg Township was extradited in August after he was arrested at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. He was indicted on theft and other counts, after police say he stole money from Kona's Best Natural Coffee while employed as comptroller. He could face up to 75 years in prison. Bookkeeper Cathy Kleger says the company lost nearly $200,000. Walaskay, who has a Whitmore Lake address but was living on Hall Road in Hamburg Township, has pleaded not guilty. A trial has been set for October 30th. This is not the first time Walaskay has been accused of stealing from an employer. According to a report by the Hendry County, Florida, sheriffâs office, Walaskay was arrested and charged with grand larceny in 2008 for allegedly stealing more than $100,000 from The Wallace Group, where he had been the chief financial officer. He was released after posting $50,000 bail, but no record was found of that charge ever being prosecuted. (JK)
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