James Joseph Mello, 68, Minot, retired general manager of the Grand International Inn, is accused of stealing more than $40,000 from his employer over the past three years.

Mello is charged with theft of property, a Class B felony, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

According to a criminal affidavit filed with the court, employees at the hotel reported the theft on Aug. 5, a month and a half after Mello retired.

Money was allegedly taken from the hotel in two forms. A new ATM machine was installed at the hotel in 2011 and was authorized by Mello. Although the hotel was supposed to receive commission checks from LaFluer and Son, Mello allegedly had the checks sent to him instead. The checks were allegedly made out to Mello rather than the Grand Hotel and checks would come to the hotel addressed to Mello. Mello allegedly opened the mail and deposited the checks into his personal bank account at Prairie Federal Credit Union. The total amount of the checks was $24,553, between July 2, 2012 and June 18, 2015.

Mello is also accused of stealing banquet gratuity bonuses from the hotel. The hotel adds a gratuity to all the banquets it holds and a portion of the funds is supposed to go to waitresses, waiters and department heads. Mello wasn’t supposed to be included in the bonus. Mello allegedly received $15,785 from gratuity bonuses he was not entitled to between Oct. 10, 2012 and June 18, 2015.

The incidents only cover three years due to the statute of limitations.

Mello told The Minot Daily News last May that he had worked for the hotel for nearly 43 years. He started as a front desk person, then became night manager and then general manager. He came to Minot with the U.S. Air Force in 1968, served in Vietnam, and then came back to Minot. He began working at the hotel in August 1972.

Mello is scheduled to make his initial appearance in North Central District Court in Minot at 10 a.m. on Feb. 1.