Opinion ID: 2066060
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Theft by Unauthorized Taking or Transfer (Count I)

Text: [¶ 20] A theft by unauthorized taking or transfer occurs when the defendant (1) obtained or exercised unauthorized control (2) over the property of another (3) with intent to deprive the owner of that property. State v. Bouchard, 2005 ME 106, ¶ 15, 881 A.2d 1130, 1135 (quotation marks omitted); see 17-A M.R.S. § 353(1)(A). Such theft is a Class B crime when, as here, the value of the subject property exceeds $10,000. 17-A M.R.S. § 353(1)(B)(1). [¶ 21] The evidence is sufficient to support the jury's finding, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Schmidt misused the money from the loan fund for personal purposes, and thereby committed theft by unauthorized taking or transfer in an amount over $10,000. Although the checks to Schmidt were made out to the Foundation, the State established that Schmidt was the only person who had the right to draw funds on the account in which loan funds were deposited; that Schmidt did not use the money for the purposes intended, but rather used it to pay a salary to himself and his girlfriend, purposes not approved by the City; and that Schmidt retained the loan funds long after he was obligated to have repaid them to the City. Further, Schmidt's intent can be inferred from the evidence.