Jeffrey Michael Fairbanks, 33, is accused of embezzling money from Impact Mechanics, a Kenmare business where he had formerly been employed.

Fairbanks is charged with Class C felony theft of property in district court in Minot.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed with the court, the business owners reported the embezzlement on Dec. 26, 2017.

They reported that Fairbanks, who had worked as a bookkeeper for the business, had used the business’s bank account to pay off his personal vehicle loan as well as to pay off credit card bills for a credit card he had taken out in the name of the business. Fairbanks had not been authorized to make those transactions. The total amount stolen was estimated at $8,582.08, according to the affidavit.

The charge was not filed against Fairbanks until Sept. 16, some 20 months after the business owners made their complaint, and Fairbanks did not make an initial appearance on the charge in court until Monday.

A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for Jan. 16 before Judge Doug Mattson.