Carson City business man granted another extension to raise restitution cash

Carson City businessman Lenny Chappell told District Judge James Wilson on Tuesday he needs another month to raise the restitution money he needs to satisfy terms of a plea bargain.

Chappell was charged with felony embezzlement for allegedly taking more than $7,000 from an account belonging to Platinum Plus Day Spa where he worked to replace cash he took from the downtown Business Association account when he headed that organization. Altogether, he owes the spa $7,347.

He was originally charged with the felony count that could land him 10 years in state prison. Under terms of the plea bargain, that will be dropped to a gross misdemeanor conspiracy charge with a maximum of one year in prison and a $2,000 fine.

Tina Russom of the Douglas County District Attorney’s office, which is prosecuting the case, said Chappell turned over a check for $6,000 this week but asked Wilson for more time to raise the remaining $1,347.

He has been working to raise the money since February but was granted an extension to May 24 to finish the task.

Douglas County is handling the case because Carson City District Attorney Jason Woodbury represented Platinum Plus when he was a private attorney and declared a conflict.