A Cortez man is facing embezzlement charges in New Mexico after reportedly renting his employer’s equipment and getting paid for it personally.
Nathan Leo Wilkinson, 45, was arrested June 10 and charged with eight counts of fourth-degree felony embezzlement.
The charges are in connection with a four-month investigation opened Dec. 18 by the Bloomfield Police Department.
Wilkinson was an employee of Backroads Energy Services, LLC, which is a Bloomfield-based oil field company that rents equipment such as “generators, tele handlers and deployers,” according to the affidavit for arrest warrant.
While employed at the company between June 14, 2023, and April 5, 2024, Wilkinson allegedly rented Backroads’ equipment to another company named Pureline. He also allegedly embezzled a truck from his employer.
Wilkinson reportedly billed Pureline with invoices directing the company to pay him directly “through his personal PayPal, using a company card,” according to the affidavit.
Investigators sought and received a search warrant for Wilkinson’s PayPal account and reportedly found “seven completed payments” to Wilkinson from Pureline totaling $7,905.69, the affidavit says.
Wilkinson reportedly “withdrew the money all seven times he received payment,” the affidavit says.
In December 2023, while employed by Backroads, Wilkinson was sent to look at a Chevrolet Silverado pickup for purchase. He advised that it was a good vehicle and was given permission to purchase it, according to the affidavit.
Afterward, Wilkinson reportedly told the owner something was wrong with the pickup’s engine, and he offered to buy it for $7,000 to $8,000. He was told no, according to the affidavit.
Wilkinson allegedly kept the truck and registered it under his own name in Cortez and never brought it to the owner of Backroads, who paid for the vehicle, the affidavit says.
Wilkinson was booked into the San Juan County Detention Center and was released the same day.
His first appearance is set for 8:30 a.m. June 17 in Aztec Magistrate Court.