Garkane receives all money lost from Chynoweth theft case

By Garkane Energy Co-op

On January 20, 2022, the Sixth District Court of Utah awarded Garkane Energy Cooperative full

restitution of all funds as a recovery for stolen items relating to the matter of State of Utah v.

Klinton Ralph Chynoweth, Case No. 201600071. All lost value and money have been paid back to

the Garkane membership.

In March 2020, Klinton Chynoweth was charged with four accounts dealing with financial theft.

Since that time Garkane Board and Staff have worked closely with the Kane County Sheriff and

District Attorney’s office to complete a thorough investigation and ensure the case was

presented the court system. A plea deal was reached in a court hearing in October 2020.

After the first hearing in October 2020, and as permitted by the court, Garkane extended an

internal investigation into the matter to ensure all damages were recovered. The result of

that investigation uncovered additional items lost and Garkane filed to recover internal accounting

losses as well. Correspondingly, a new hearing was scheduled for January 20, to consider said

losses by the court.

Judge Marvin D. Bagley asked Garkane to appear at this hearing and answer questions

regarding the matter. William Hammon, Garkane’s Board President appeared at the hearing and

presented a thorough statement of Garkane’s position. As in the past, Garkane cooperated fully

with law enforcement and the prosecutor’s office to address questions related to this matter in

order to facilitate the prosecution of this case and to secure full restitution for Garkane members,

which has been accomplished.

The hearing concluded with the initial plea deal made in October 2020, including 150 hours of

community service and a restitution order to be paid to Garkane Energy, which has been paid in

full.

For further information about the case, visit: https://www.utcourts.gov/courts/dist/distsites/6th/ .