Plea deal in embezzlement

A Petaluma man has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $100,000 from a movie theater in Marin County.

Justin Brutcher, 37, a Casa Grande High School graduate, entered the plea before Marin County Superior Court Judge Terrence Boren on Wednesday.

He was accused of taking money from the Fairfax Theatre, where he worked as manager. The theater is owned by Cinema West of Petaluma.

The theater’s losses from November to February totaled $117,312, according to Otis Bruce, the deputy district attorney who prosecuted the case. As part of the plea deal, Brutcher is required to repay the money, Bruce said.

“It was a negotiated disposition, and an appropriate one in this case,” Bruce said. “We look forward to him paying the restitution to the victims.”

Brutcher’s attorney, Justin Milligan, said his client has repaid a good portion of the money.

“Mr. Brutcher is a good person without any prior criminal record who made a terrible mistake, which he admitted immediately and for which he is extremely remorseful,” he said. “He has repaid a substantial amount of the money he took and is grateful to the Fairfax Theatre and Cinema West for allowing him an opportunity to repay the rest.”

Brutcher could still face jail time, but will not be sent to state prison under the terms of his plea deal. Sentencing is set for July 23.

Dave Corkill, owner of Cinema West, which operates Boulevard 14 Cinemas in Petaluma, said he had no comment pending the resolution of the legal case.

(Contact Matt Brown at matt.brown@arguscourier.com. On Twitter @MattBrownAC.)