Restaurateur couple appears in court over felony check charges

A Cape Girardeau County woman facing felony bad check charges won dismissal of the case Monday when she paid restitution, and her husband, facing similar charges, will get the same deal if he pays up.

Krissty Steers, 27, and Bobby Steers, 45, appeared before Circuit Judge Benjamin Lewis. Krissty Steers was charged with writing a check Oct. 31, 2008, for $1,100 to Coldwell Bank Select Realtors that was returned for insufficient funds. Bobby Steers is accused of writing a check on Oct. 6, 2008, for $1,100.90 to Bollinger Farms that was returned for insufficient funds.

Kristy Steers agreed to allow the bond she posted to be used to repay Coldwell Bank Select Realtors in exchange for the dismissal, assistant prosecuting attorney Angel Woodruff told Lewis.

Robert Steers appeared before Lewis next, and attorney Patrick McMenamin told Lewis that Robert Steers will be able to make full restitution by February. Lewis set a court date of Feb. 22 for Steers to show proof that the payment had been made.

The couple were arrested in September after they failed to appear for a preliminary hearing, and Associate Circuit Judge Scott Thomsen issued a warrant.

Krissty and Bobby Steers owned or were partners in three restaurants in Cape Girardeau County. They opened Jackson Diner at 3125 E. Jackson Blvd. in November 2007, closing it in October 2008. They operated a restaurant called Fruitland Diner at 5841 U.S. 61 beginning in April 2008 and, with a group of investors, began doing business as Bobby's Kitchen at 1015 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau on Feb. 1. The Steerses lost control of both restaurants in April.

Bobby Steers is facing additional criminal charges related to his business dealings. He must be in court Feb. 23 to answer misdemeanor charges that he failed to pay sales taxes collected at Jackson Diner from Dec. 31, 2007, to March 31, 2008, and again from July 31, 2008, through Sept. 30, 2008.

According to documents filed with the case, Steers owes the state $32,978.24.

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent addresses:

100 Court St., Jackson, MO

3125 E. Jackson Blvd., Jackson, MO

5841 U.S. 61, Fruitland, MO

1015 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO