BEST WESTERN OWNERS FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST FORMER EMPLOYEE ARRESTED FOR EMBEZZLING

LAWSUIT REVEALS THE EXACT EXTENT OF THE ALLEGED FINANCIAL THEFT

More information has come into public light in regards to the case involving a Louisa company that owns a hotel just outside of the city, having recently filed a lawsuit against a former employee who they claimed to stole a “significant” amount of  money while working at the hotel.

Lamar Lodging Corporation, which is the public company name that owns & operates as the Best Western Plus in Louisa, filed a lawsuit July 5 against former employee Anthony R. Chapman, for allegedly embezzling of $53,200.

Mr. Chapman, 50, of Louisa, was employed as an assistant general manager for the Louisa Best Western, where he began working on April 26, 2018, and one of his responsibilities was conducting financial transactions with guests at the hotel and overseeing all the cash, the lawsuit complaint said.

During the first six months of Anthony Chapman’s employment, the company spot-checked his accuracy on final matters, and it was determined that his accuracy was superb, according to the lawsuit complaint.

After a period of time, the Lamar Lodging Corporation began noticing a reduction of revenue and inquired from other  employees of Anthony Chapman’s conduct with cash income as opposed to credit cards, checks, etc., the lawsuit complaint said.

It was soon determined that Anthony Chapman had established a “multitude of ways to steal the company’s income from cash paying guests, sundry sales, free rooms to friends, etc.,” the lawsuit complaint says.

A formal audit began of all Chapman’s financial records, and his employment was terminated on June 15 with his admission to Louisa police officer Julius Musick after he was taken into custody to be questioned, that he had stolen $5,000 in cash from the company, the lawsuit complaint stated.

As the audit operation continued, and after it was the discovering of over $10,000 that was stolen, an arrest warrant was issued for Anthony Chapman on June 21, the lawsuit complaint said.

During the arrest of Anthony Chapman, heroin was discovered with on him, and Chapman was also charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, 1st Degree, 1st Offense – (heroin), and importing heroin from out of state into Kentucky, the lawsuit complaint said.

With the audit of the financial records of the Louisa Best Western still ongoing, it has been established to date that the company’s financial losses from Anthony Chapman theft schemes are $53,200, according to the lawsuit complaint; and that the Lamar Lodging Corporation is asking for judgement against Antony Chapman in that amount stolen, plus costs and for “any and all other relief which the court deems just, fair and equitable.”

Louisa attorney and businessman Gene Wilson, who owns the Best Western along with his wife, Pauletta said in a phone conversation that Chapman filed labor dept. complaints in order to collect his final two weeks pay but both departments, state and federal have ruled no money is to be paid to Chapma

Chapman has said he would like to tell his side of the story but has not filed an answer to the complaint that we can find, not sent a comment to The Lazer.