Charges dismissed against detective’s employee

Tuesday, March 6, 2001 | 10:59 a.m.

District Judge John McGroarty on Monday dismissed theft charges against the former office manager of a well-known private detective.

Nataysha Doyel, who worked for Tom Dillard, the private investigator who helped police break the Ted Binion murder case, was indicted in August on several counts of theft. She was accused of using money from Dillard's company, Professional Investigators Inc., to purchase personal items.

Dillard filed suit against Doyel 10 months earlier, alleging she misappropriated company funds.

McGroarty removed the criminal charges Monday at the request of Doyel's new lawyer, C. Stanley Hunterton. Deputy District Attorney Valerie Adair did not oppose Hunterton's motion.

Hunterton contended the district attorney's office failed to give his client proper notice to present exculpatory evidence before she was indicted.

In a Feb. 16 letter to Adair, Hunterton said Doyel obtained permission from Dillard to buy the personal items with company money instead of receiving a raise.

Hunterton accused Dillard of committing dishonest business practices to overcome "substantial financial problems," including trouble with the IRS.

Dillard acknowledged he owed the IRS money at the time but denied being dishonest in his business dealings.

"That's not true," he said. "I generally liked this girl. But she was a thief when she was in my employ. I was ready to go forward with the criminal charges.

"And as far as I'm concerned, we're going forward with the civil suit."

Hunterton, who last year represented a defendant charged with crimes related to Binion's 1998 slaying, said he was appreciative of the district attorney's decision not to oppose the dismissal of the charges against Doyel.

"We're grateful," he said. "They made the right decision by not forcing this to trial."

Dillard received notoriety over his investigation into Binion's death on behalf of the colorful gaming executive's $55 million estate. He shared his information with police.