Woman allegedly steals travel miles from her former boss

An Aspen woman allegedly stole travel miles from her former employer’s credit-card account and used them to rent cars, book flights and stay in an expensive Vail hotel room.

Janette Juan, 50, whose full name is listed in police records as Janette Margarita Juan Izquierdo, appeared in Pitkin County District Court on Monday afternoon. Judge Gail Nichols told Juan that she faces two felony charges: theft ($5,000 to $20,000) and computer crimes (fraud). Nichols allowed for her release from the Pitkin County Jail on a personal-recognizance bond.

Juan, who is now employed by Eagle County’s Health and Human Services Department, previously worked for Anthony Bell, owner of the Ipro Center on East Hyman Avenue in Aspen, according to a statement from Aspen policeman Casey Ward. Juan was as a contract employee who handled marketing and training for Bell’s companies, Ward said.

Juan was released from her job in February, the statement said. After she was fired, Bell repossessed a company vehicle and attempted to repossess a company computer.

The computer contained login information for a travel-mileage program through a credit card used by Bell’s company. Juan changed all of the owner information sometime between May 22 and June 12, Ward said.

Juan used the travel-program credits between late June and early October. The estimated cash value of her unauthorized Internet purchases was nearly $6,800, the statement said.

“Bell did not give Juan permission to rent cars, rooms or book flights on his mileage account,” Ward wrote.

Juan was arrested Monday morning. In court, she told Nichols that she has active lawsuits against Bell over wages that are owed to her. Nichols advised her not to talk about the civil cases or try to contact Bell or anyone with his companies.

Her next court appearance is set for Jan. 6.

asalvail@aspentimes.com