Midvale woman arrested in Lake Powell houseboat scheme

A Midvale woman has been arrested on theft and forgery charges, accused of stealing nearly a quarter of a million dollars while managing timeshare houseboats at Lake Powell.

Gina Francis Isakson, 42, was arrested Thursday and charged in Salt Lake City's 3rd District Court with second-degree felony racketeering; three counts of money laundering, a second-degree felony; four counts of second-degree felony theft; four counts of third-degree felony theft; and 14 counts of third-degree felony forgery.

Isakson has been under investigation since November 2006 when the Utah Attorney General's financial crimes unit received information about the illegal operation of a houseboat named Desert Ruby at Lake Powell, according to a probably cause statement filed with the charges.

Attorney general's financial crimes agent Steven Sperry wrote that Isakson was accused of writing checks to herself and obtaining a debit card in Desert Ruby's name.

While working for a company called Interior Development Inc., agents contend, Isakson wrote a number of checks to Desert Ruby.

"The owners of Interior Development Inc., informed (law enforcement) that 29 checks were found to be unauthorized or contained a forged signature. The total of the checks amounted to approximately $230,805," Sperry wrote.

Agents also say Isakson had been fired because of unauthorized use of funds coming from managing another houseboat at Lake Powell called Sun Therapy, in the amount of $13,000.

"Isakson admitted to writing checks drawn on the Desert Ruby accounts for personal items and using the debit card to purchase personal items," Sperry wrote. "Isakson admitted to using the funds to purchase a boat, cars, home improvements, etc."

Isakson remained in the Salt Lake County Jail Friday in lieu of $100,000 bail. She is scheduled to make her first appearance in court on Sept. 2.

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com