Photo: George Slear Harman
A Baxter County man, 53-year-old George Slear Harman of Mountain Home, has been arrested and charged with a felony count of theft by deception in connection with reportedly non payment of items charged to the account of a Bull Shoals business.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed Monday, Harman began utilizing the business account a few years ago through an arrangement with the now deceased co-owner.
Through an investigation by the Bull Shoals Police Department, it was learned Harman’s electrical license with the State of Arkansas expired in November 2017. The State of Arkansas reportedly refused to renew his license because of numerous complaints and fines and judgements against him in excess of $24,000.
Consequently, Harman was unable to obtain credit to purchase materials, leading to the arrangement with the Bull Shoals business co-owner. Through the arrangement, Harman would charge electrical materials on the business account at a local hardware store. He would then perform electrical work at the business “in trade” or pay the bill at the hardware store.
In 2017, following the death of the co-owner, Harman made a similar arrangement with the man’s brother for two months.
However, in March 2018, the hardware store advised there were five outstanding, unpaid invoices totaling over $1,700 and requested payment from the business.
The victim made numerous unsuccessful attempts to contact Harman in an effort to get him to pay the bills and to stop utilizing the business account. Meanwhile, Harman allegedly continued to make charges on the business account.
When the charges reached more than $7,500, the hardware store demanded payment from the business and later noted the account would be closed and sent to collections.
The business owner opted to pay the balance to avoid any negative impact on his establishment or credit.
Despite both the business owner and law enforcement both eventually making contact with Harman and several promises to address the matter, the payment has never been made. At one point, Harman even reportedly blamed the COVID-19 pandemic delaying his efforts to obtain a loan to repay the funds.
Harman was arrested Friday, with his bond set at $10,000.
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