Woman accused of embezzling a no-show in court again, warrant ordered

SPOKANE, Wash. — Lori Isenberg, accused of embezzling $500,000 from the North Idaho Housing Coalition, once again was a no-show in court. She had failed to appear at an arraignment earlier this week after posting bail.

Isenberg worked at the non-profit for over a decade, and earned the title of executive director.

Isenberg’s attorney told the judge he did not know where Isenberg was and did not argue when the judge ordered a $500,000 bench warrant for her arrest.

She was first put under investigation in January. Court documents show law enforcement believed she forged checks, opened companies to launder money, and overcharged tenants.

During that investigation her husband also turned up dead. She told police he had fallen off their boat.

Members of the North Idaho Housing Coalition were in court Friday, hoping to see Isenberg face a judge but were disappointed, though not surprised she did not make an appearance.

Speaking to KXLY the non-profit’s president said the impact the embezzlement has had on the company is being felt, but they are overcoming.

“While I am not officially speaking for the board, I feel comfortable saying that it was a betrayal of trust,” said Kerri Thoreson, President of the Board of Directors, “we are a non-profit that does really good things, we are just determined that her bad deeds won’t destroy the organization.”

She says the money stolen won’t get to be used for rehabilitating homes and that low income families won’t get housing because of Isenberg’s alleged actions.

“We are going to survive this, but it is important to see justice be done, there are consequences to actions,” Thoreson said.

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