Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft 4 Year Old Issue

[march319]

4 Years ago, while working in a retail store, I was terminated for frequently performing fraudulent returns for cash refunds. I did this a lot before I was caught and it was complete stupidity on my part. The LP manager came in and I confessed when asked, I did not try to deny it up front, and he was appreciative of my cooperation. I gave a written statement, agreed to pay restitution, and a police officer came just to get my information; I was not arrested or charged with anything. I was told that I would not be as long as I paid restitution. Unfortunately, after making a couple of small payments initially, I fell on financial hard times and quit making the payments. That was 4 years ago, I never heard anything from the company, and the police have never attempted to contact me. I know there aren't any charges pending because I have been pulled over recently and went to court for the ticket. My question is, I do not want this to ever come back and bite me, considering the length of time it has been have they just chosen not to charge me, is there a limit on how long they can wait? Or do I need to contact them and re-start the payments? Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[thelawjournal]

Depending on the crime the statute of limitations will vary depending on that charge. If just a misdemeanor than that time has likely expired. That does not mean your former employer does not have other options.

 

[march319]

I was told it would be a felony, what are the other options?

 

[thelawjournal]

If statute of limitations has not run out they can file criminal charges. They can also file suit in which they can seek the monies you "promised" to pay along with all legal fees and court costs. they can enter your name in retail theft database if they are subscriber and have not done so yet. they can in addition file a negative report to the credit reporting agencies. If aksed by any current or potential employer(s) they can tell them why you were fired

 

[march319]

Thanks for all the help, I guess I'm just wondering why they haven't done anything in 4 years. Have you even encountered this before, where a company does nothing for so many years and then decides to take action?

 

[thelawjournal]

Its possible they might have acted in some way your not aware of yet

 

[Guest]

Its been 4 years! Anything they were thinking of doing the have likely done by now.

 

[march319]

They have done nothing with the Police, is it worth contacting the company or just leave it alone?

 

[thelawjournal]

As stated above anything the company might do they likely would have done by now. So I would leave it be but I would also get a Credit check to see if this was reported