Harlan Douglass’ former assistant ordered to turn over title to truck

A judge has ordered Harlan Douglass’ former personal assistant to surrender the title to his 2015 Ford F-150 truck to his attorney after Douglass alleged in a civil lawsuit that the truck and other expensive items were purchased with money stolen from him.

In a written order filed Tuesday, Spokane County Superior Court Judge Michael Price also banned Bryan J. Reilly from selling, hiding or getting rid of the truck, a boat and a boat trailer. He also is required to turn over records for any bank account in his name as well as “accounts in the name of third parties who may currently hold funds with or on behalf of the defendant.”

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the theft of $800,000 in cash from Douglass’ home last year. Half of the money was recovered on the property, but $400,000 is missing. Reilly is a person of interest in the case, but no criminal charges have been filed.

Douglass filed a civil suit against Reilly for the alleged theft and also submitted evidence uncovered by an investigator that allegedly shows Reilly sold coins, jewelry and watches belonging to Harlan and Maxine Douglass. Reilly paid cash to purchase items worth more than $100,000 even though his annual salary from Douglass was less than $11,000 a year.

Douglass’ attorney, Steven Hassing, said he was pleased by the judge’s decision and that the judge’s order for the disclosure of bank records “might lead to the recovery of $400,000 in cash still missing and the proceeds of who knows how much stolen and pawned jewelry.”

Reilly’s attorney asked that the civil lawsuit be put on hold while the criminal investigation is ongoing. Price denied the request.