MONROE - Two brothers who served as president and vice president at Monroe Cheese Corporation (MCC), who were charged with three counts of theft, could have their charges dismissed in 18 months.
Former President David L. Rufenacht, 54, Verona, formerly of Monroe, and Vice President William B. Rufenacht, 50, Soldiers Grove, formerly of Juda, appeared Wednesday in Green County Circuit Court. If they pay almost $65,000 in restitution the charges against them will be dismissed.
The brothers are charged with three counts of theft in a business setting as party to a crime.
The first of the three counts alleges that the Rufenachts, as trustees of MCC's 401(k) retirement plan, withheld more than $34,437.47 in 401(k) contributions, earned by 66 employees between Nov. 9, 2001, and Jan. 31, 2003, according to the criminal complaint. They face up to $10,000 in fines and 15 years in prison if convicted of the class C felony.
The second count alleges the Rufenachts withheld more than $28,123.33 in 401(k) contributions, earned by the same 66 employees between Feb. 14, 2003, and Oct. 8, 2004, the criminal complaint states. They face up to $25,000 in fines and 10 years in prison, if convicted of the class G felony.
The third count alleges the Rufenachts withheld approximately $3,465.99 in employee-paid health insurance contributions deducted from 32 employees' wages between Feb. 14, 2004, and March 11, 2005, according to the criminal complaint. They face up to $10,000 in fines and three years and six months in prison, if convicted of the class I felony.
The brothers served as president and vice president since 1988. The business was founded in 1958 by their father.
Former President David L. Rufenacht, 54, Verona, formerly of Monroe, and Vice President William B. Rufenacht, 50, Soldiers Grove, formerly of Juda, appeared Wednesday in Green County Circuit Court. If they pay almost $65,000 in restitution the charges against them will be dismissed.
The brothers are charged with three counts of theft in a business setting as party to a crime.
The first of the three counts alleges that the Rufenachts, as trustees of MCC's 401(k) retirement plan, withheld more than $34,437.47 in 401(k) contributions, earned by 66 employees between Nov. 9, 2001, and Jan. 31, 2003, according to the criminal complaint. They face up to $10,000 in fines and 15 years in prison if convicted of the class C felony.
The second count alleges the Rufenachts withheld more than $28,123.33 in 401(k) contributions, earned by the same 66 employees between Feb. 14, 2003, and Oct. 8, 2004, the criminal complaint states. They face up to $25,000 in fines and 10 years in prison, if convicted of the class G felony.
The third count alleges the Rufenachts withheld approximately $3,465.99 in employee-paid health insurance contributions deducted from 32 employees' wages between Feb. 14, 2004, and March 11, 2005, according to the criminal complaint. They face up to $10,000 in fines and three years and six months in prison, if convicted of the class I felony.
The brothers served as president and vice president since 1988. The business was founded in 1958 by their father.