A member of the Mitchell school board faces felony charges after he allegedly spent more than $2,300 of his former employer's money, including purchases of many items that were shipped to a separate business he owns with his wife.
Eric Christensen, 31, was served with an arrest warrant Thursday morning and faces two counts of grand theft. Christensen turned himself in to authorities at the Davison County Jail at approximately 8 a.m. He was released on $1,000 bond.
According to court paperwork, Christensen used funds from his former employer, Dakota Ag Innovations of Mitchell, to purchase items that he kept for himself and Bright Beginnings Education Center, the daycare he owns with his wife, Amy, who is not under investigation.
Eric Christensen did not return phone calls to his home Thursday, nor did anyone answer the front door when The Daily Republic sought comment in person.
The charges allege that the offenses occurred between Jan. 1, 2004, and Sept. 26, 2007. During that time, Christensen was director of finance and operations for Dakota Ag Innovations.
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Davison County deputies and Mitchell Police Division Investigator Dean Knippling executed a search warrant on Nov. 16 at Christensen's residence, 40692 Sunrise Ridge, and at Bright Beginnings Education Center on East Norway Avenue in Mitchell.
According to court papers, Christensen was terminated from his position at Dakota Ag Innovations in late September. An outside accountant was hired to help with bookkeeping, and several inconsistencies were found, as well as invoices and other documentation of purchases that Dakota Ag Innovations paid for, but were not in the company's possession. Several product invoices showed they were ordered by Dakota Ag Innovations and then shipped to Bright Beginnings Education Center.
Dakota Ag Innovations President Lynn Odland contacted Davison County Deputy Steve Brink on Oct. 29.
Among the accusations against Christensen are that he inappropriately used Dakota Ag Innovations funds to:
n On July 16, 2007, purchase $239.99 worth of supplies from the Quill Corp., ranging from printer cartridges to antiseptic soap refills, all of which was shipped to Bright Beginnings.
n On March 17, 2006, purchase a $359.98 office printer, which was shipped to Bright Beginnings.
n On Dec. 5, 2006, purchase a laserjet fax/copier, ink cartridges and several DVD movies, the total for which came to $663.52, and all of which was shipped to Bright Beginnings.
n Pay for the Web sites ericchristensen.com and brightbeginnings.com.
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Also, he is accused of using Dakota Ag Innovations money to pay off a bill with The Daily Republic for $630, which matches the amount Christensen said he owed for advertising during his successful school board campaign, according to the campaign finance report he filed with the Mitchell School District.
All told, the total amount that Christensen is accused of improperly spending comes to $2,344.
Law enforcement officers and investigators last month searched Christensen's home and found a laser jet printer and ink cartridges in his basement office. Other items also were recovered. The Mitchell Police Division was involved early in the case after Officer Ryan Titze spoke with Odland and his attorney, Jim Taylor, on Oct. 15. Because the company is located outside city limits, the case was referred to the Davison County Sheriff's Office.
Christensen, whose lawyer is Chris Nipe of Mitchell, was indicted by a Davison County grand jury on Dec. 7 but wasn't officially served with papers until Thursday.
He is set to be arraigned in front of Judge Tim Bjorkman at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 7 at the County Public Safety Center.
If convicted of both charges, Christensen faces up to 20 years in the state penitentiary and a $30,000 fine.
