An ex-Santa Rosa non-profit worker accused of embezzling $400,000 from developmentally disabled clients was charged Wednesday with 35 felonies that carry a lengthy state prison sentence.
Prosecutors accused Larry Gene Sark, 66, a former program coordinator for North Bay Regional Center, of taking the money over the course of several years dating back to 2006.
Sark, who was arrested Monday at his Bennett Valley home, was being held on $500,000 bail.
The bespectacled man with shoulder-length white hair made a first court appearance beside his lawyer, Izaak Schwaiger, who wanted more time before entering a plea.
Judge Dana Simonds ordered him back in court March 5.
Police believe Sark took money from 51 people between the ages of 20 and 70 before he retired in December 2012. Detectives began investigating him when they received a tip that Sark was possibly having an inappropriate relationship with a client.
They found instead that Sark had deposited checks to clients into his own accounts, police said.
He is charged with stealing from a dependent adult while working as a caretaker. Prosecutors allege a sentencing enhancement for theft of more than $100,000.
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