Ten counts of felony embezzlement filed against Timeless Treasures Owner Andrea Ruth Bowengardner for embezzling funds and property from more than 50 clients

Author: District Attorney
Date: 2/3/2022 4:24 PM

District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that former San Luis Obispo consignment store owner Andrea Ruth Bowengardner (51) of Arroyo Grande has been charged with 10 counts of felony embezzlement.

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District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that felony embezzlement charges have been filed against Andrea Ruth Bowengardner (DOB 10/05/1970), former owner of the San Luis Obispo consignment store Timeless Treasures.  Ten counts of embezzlement have been charged on behalf of 58 consignors who entrusted to Bowengardner antiques, art, furniture, and other items for her to sell. 

The felony complaint alleges that the consigned items were sold by Bowengardner, but the owners were not paid.  The offenses were alleged to have occurred during two primary periods of time when the items were sold.  Some items were sold at an auction in May 2019 and others were sold between December 2018 and June 2019. 

The charges were filed in court on February 2, 2022, and an arrest warrant was issued at that time.  Soon after, the defendant posted a $20,000 bail bond and is currently out of custody.  The case is set for arraignment in Department 3 of the Superior Court on February 23, 2022.

This case was investigated by the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation, Financial Crimes Unit, and is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Mike Frye who is assigned to the Special Prosecutions Unit that includes major fraud and public integrity.

To prove that the defendant is guilty of the crime of embezzlement, the District Attorney must prove that:

(1)        An owner entrusted their property to the defendant;

(2)        The owner did so because they trusted the defendant;

(3)        The defendant fraudulently converted or used that property for their own benefit; AND

(4)        When the defendant converted or used the property, they intended to deprive the owner of it.

It is important to note that a criminal complaint contains charges that must be proven in a court of law by proof beyond a reasonable doubt.  Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Click here to view a copy of the complaint document.  Click here to view a copy of a previous booking photo of the defendant.

Please contact Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth at 805.781.5819 with any questions.

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