CAMDEN, Maine — The former manager of a Camden lodge was arrested Monday and charged with stealing more than $40,000 from the business’s owners.
Kelly J. Hill is accused of spending the embezzled money on plane trips, stays at other hotels, veterinarian visits for her two dogs and several large purchases at Wal-Mart, according to a police affidavit filed Wednesday in Rockland District Court by Camden police Detective Curt Andrick.
Hill, 38, had been manager of the Lodge at Camden Hills since April 2012. The owners told Andrick that they became suspicious of purchases made by Hill in late 2014. Owner James Burgess said he had put 100 percent trust in Hill to manage the lodge, which is located on Route 1.
The owner said Hill became defensive when he said he was going to become more involved in the operation of the lodge.
Hill lived rent- and utility-free at an apartment at the lodge and was also given a company car that she could use for personal activities.
The owners contacted Andrick on Feb. 5. She was fired by the owners on March 9 and was arrested that day by the Camden detective.
She was taken to the Knox County Jail, where she remained Monday unable to raise the $5,000 cash bail. She made her initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon, when bail was ordered to remain at $5,000. Should she make bail, one of the conditions prohibits her from returning to the lodge except to collect her belongings. Her two dogs were left in the care of a third party.