Jami Ann Plummer, 42, of Eastsound, has been charged with two counts of theft in the first degree — property over $5,000; two counts of identity theft in the first degree; four counts of theft in the second degree; and three counts of identity theft in the second degree. All are felonies.

Plummer is accused of embezzling from an Orcas business from 2018 to 2022. Her arraignment was held on Jan. 22 in San Juan County Superior Court and she pleaded not guilty. An omnibus hearing is set for March 11.

According to the probable cause statement, Plummer was hired as a full-time bookkeeper in February 2018 for a business on Orcas Island. In addition to managing Quickbooks, she had access to cash and bank deposits and the owners’ personal bank accounts, checks and credit cards, although she was not given signature authority. In January 2022, due to concerns about Plummer and unexpected financial changes in the company, the owners reviewed bank and credit card statements and found instances of misappropriation of funds. They fired Plummer and hired an accounting agency to conduct a forensic audit, which concluded Plummer allegedly embezzled funds, forged checks and used credit cards for personal purchases, all totaling up to $200,000. She is accused of paying her mortgage and gas and food bills and making purchases from Amazon.

During her interview with the sheriff’s office, Plummer stated that the business owners sometimes didn’t provide her with a paycheck or paid her a decreased wage, and she was authorized to use their money to pay bills and buy herself items to make up the difference. She also told detectives she was permitted to forge signatures on checks.

Plummer’s criminal history in San Juan County includes theft in the first degree — property over $5,000 and reckless driving.