PLYMOUTH — A Plymouth business owner has been charged with theft after he allegedly deducted money from employees’ paychecks for insurance premiums but did not pay the insurer.

Plymouth police said Christopher Troutner, 40, of Warsaw, owner of Mayer Plumbing and Heating, 500 W. Jefferson St., Plymouth, was charged with eight counts of theft, each a Class D felony, after an employee talked to them Oct. 14 about the situation.

Plymouth police detective Leo Mangus said Troutner closed the business Thursday, putting eight workers out of jobs.

The worker reporting the alleged wrongdoing said Troutner deducted money from each paycheck for medical and dental insurance, but the worker discovered the insurance had been terminated June 30 for non-payment by Troutner, police said. The worker told police he learned medical bills were not being paid by the insurance carrier because of that termination.

Police said pay stubs for that worker and other employees indicate the insurance deductions were taken from their wages. The insurance carrier confirmed the worker’s claim, according to police.

A warrant was issued for Troutner and he was arrested at about 3:15 p.m. Wednesday. Troutner posted a cash bond of $10,000 and was released later that evening.

Staff writer Anita Munson:
amunson@sbtinfo.com
(574) 936-2920