Baxter County Circuit Judge Andrew Bailey granted a bond forfeiture request this week for a Mountain Home man accused of stealing more than $41,000 while working at Kentucky Fried Chicken.
During a hearing in Baxter County Circuit Court/Criminal Division Monday, officials stated Phillip A. Maugaotega is believed to be in Hawaii and is considered a fugitive. Prosecutors said efforts are expected to be made to extradite him back to Arkansas.
Bailey granted the state’s request for bond forfeiture.
Maugaotega is charged with Class B felony theft of property following a Mountain Home Police Department investigation that began in January of 2024.
According to an affidavit, Kentucky Fried Chicken management reported ongoing thefts involving store deposits and change orders dating back to August of 2023.
Investigators said Maugaotega was responsible for ordering cash deliveries through Brinks and allegedly made unusually large requests ranging from more than $1,000 to as much as $7,548.72, despite normal change orders typically totaling around $750.
Authorities allege Maugaotega would redeposit a portion of the money while keeping the remaining cash for himself. Employees were also allegedly instructed to leave money in his office if deliveries arrived while he was off duty.
Financial records reportedly showed shortages totaling $41,369.78 between August 2023 and January 2024.
Court records additionally state Maugaotega was on probation in Hawaii for similar offenses at the time the investigation began.
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