Charges of theft and identify theft against an area travel agent were dismissed Thursday in Racine County Circuit Court.
Prosecutors with the district attorney’s office alleged in a criminal complaint filed Jan. 31 that Melanie Langley, 60, of Burlington, used the credentials of her former employer, Bon Voyage Cruise and Vacations, of Waterford, to book client travel for her own benefit.
During a preliminary hearing Thursday, Court Commissioner Alice Rudebusch dismissed the charges at the request of Langley’s attorney, Patrick Kiernan Cafferty, after prosecutors in the case requested adjournment to a later date, according to court records.
Assistant District Attorney Barry Braatz told the court the state’s investigator was not available to appear at the hearing.
The matter had been adjourned twice during previous hearings in February at the request of Langley’s attorney. Rudebusch said following adjournment Feb. 14 that it was the last adjournment she would grant, court records indicate.
On Thursday the charges were dismissed without prejudice, meaning they could be filed again in the future.
According to the original criminal complaint, investigators alleged that Langley rebooked or rerouted bookings from clients of Bon Voyage to different agencies she worked for after leaving Bon Voyage.
The operator of Bon Voyage alleged that Langley’s actions resulted in a loss of $37,000 by the travel agency.
The filing of the criminal charges came on the heels of a civil court dispute between Bon Voyage and Langley, according to court records.
Bon Voyage sued Langley in Racine County Circuit Court on Aug. 31, 2018, and Langley counter-sued in Milwaukee County Circuit Court four days later.
According to court records, the suit filed by Langley was dismissed Sept. 27, 2018, on a motion brought by attorneys representing Bon Voyage.
Court records also show the suit brought by Bon Voyage was dismissed Jan. 4 with prejudice, which means the same claim cannot be filed again.
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