A Dutchess County man is accused of stealing over $85,000 from a business while working as an independent contractor.

Ryan L. Winters, 39, of Pine Plains, allegedly forged several checks from the victim’s bank account and made numerous unauthorized credit card purchases while working for the family’s business, the Hudson Police Department said. The victim told police on Oct. 14 that the thefts spanned from Nov. 15, 2022 through Oct. 6, 2023.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office found Winters on Dec. 23 in the town of Greenport. He was charged with one count of grand larceny and 10 counts each of forgery and possession of a forged instrument.

Winters was arraigned in Hudson City Court and bail was set at $5,000 cash, $10,000 bond or $15,000 secured bond. He was released on bail and is due back in court on Jan. 2.