Itasca County: Grand Rapids Man Charged in Lumber Swindle Case
Grand Rapids (trfnews.i234.me) — A Grand Rapids, Minnesota, man is facing felony charges after allegedly writing a bad check to a local lumber company, according to court documents filed in Itasca County District Court.
Timothy Scott Rantila of Grand Rapids has been charged with felony theft by swindle and felony theft by check. Prosecutors allege that Rantila obtained building materials worth $1,245 from a Grand Rapids lumber company by writing a check from a bank account that had already been closed.
According to the criminal complaint, the transaction took place when Rantila purchased lumber and other supplies, paying with a personal check. The company later discovered that the account the check was written on had been closed before the transaction, and attempts to recover payment were unsuccessful.
Investigators say the check was used to intentionally deceive the business and obtain property under false pretenses. The case was referred to the Itasca County Attorney’s Office, which filed the formal charges.
If convicted, Rantila could face up to five years in prison and fines up to $10,000 on each felony charge under Minnesota law.
The case remains under review in Itasca County District Court.
For more on Minnesota theft and fraud statutes, visit the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
