Trial of Hiawatha man accused of embezzling from employer is set for February

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Hiawatha man accused of stealing more than $200,000 from Newell Machinery Co. will stand trial Feb. 13, in Linn County District Court.

Scott F. Donnelly, 49, is charged with one count of ongoing criminal conduct and two counts of first-degree theft. Donnelly, the former controller of the Hiawatha company, confessed to embezzling $242,531, according to court documents.

According to a criminal complaint, he misappropriated 10 checks between July 22, 2009 and March 7, 2011. He allegedly diverted the checks into his personal account.

Hiawatha police first learned about the missing money when the owners of Newell Machinery Company contacted them in early March. Marks said officers executed a search warrant at Donnelly's residence shortly thereafter and seized evidence. U.S. postal inspectors also were heavily involved in the investigation.