58 people accuse former SLO County consignment store owner of embezzlement
The former owner of a San Luis Obispo consignment store was charged with 10 counts of embezzlement Wednesday, the San Luis Obispo District Attorney’s Office announced in a news release.
Andrea Ruth Bowen-Gardner owned Timeless Treasures, where at least 58 people who entrusted her to sell their antiques, furniture and other items say they did not receive their payment.
The 51-year-old from Arroyo Grande is alleged to have sold the items between December 2018 and June 2019, including at an auction in May 2019.
To be found guilty of embezzlement, the following must be proven beyond reasonable doubt:
- An owner entrusted their property to the defendant;
- The owner did so because they trusted the defendant;
- The defendant fraudulently converted or used that property for their own benefit; AND
- When the defendant converted or used the property, they intended to deprive the owner of it.
In an emailed statement to The Tribune, Bowen-Gardner’s lawyer, Patrick Fisher, wrote that Bowen-Gardner “vehemently denies” the allegations and said the way the District Attorney’s Office’s handling of the matter is “deeply troubling.”
He said Bowen-Gardner’s previous lawyer asked the office for advance notification if the charges were to be filed, “a fairly common” request that can help defendants avoid the embarrassment of being arrested at their place of work or in front of friends and family.
Bowen-Gardner’s attorney said they found out about the filed charges Wednesday through their own investigator and promptly posted the $20,000 bond, so when law enforcement arrive at Bowen-Gardner’s home, they did not end up handcuffing her, calling the actions by the District Attorney’s Office “sneaky” and “unnecessarily aggressive.”
“We are confident that the evidence will show that no crimes were committed and that Ms. Bowen-Gardner only acted in accordance with the contractual agreements involved,” the statement said.
Her arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 23.
This story was originally published February 3, 2022 at 6:06 PM.
