Circumstances can sometimes drive some people to commit white collar crimes out of desperation. Anyone who is charged with felonies that involve embezzlement or other fraud-related crimes in Michigan will remain innocent in the eyes of the law until, and only if, the prosecution can prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This applies to anyone accused of a crime.
However, those who plead guilty can still rely upon legal counsel to advocate for them during legal proceedings that lead up to sentencing. One such case involves a 52-year-old woman who worked as a teller with Michigan First Credit Union for almost 15 years. Felony charges were recently filed against her for allegedly embezzling $24,000 from an elderly client’s account.
An investigation was launched after the family of a 92-year-old credit union customer noticed irregularities. Investigators determined that the teller had withdrawn the funds from the elderly customer’s account without authorization. They allege this happened while the customer was in the hospital. Reportedly, the teller admitted to withdrawing the funds early in 2018, at which time her employment was terminated.
Authorities say a conviction, in this case, could lead to a 20-year prison sentence. The most sensible step for anyone who is accused of felonies that involve embezzlement or fraud is to retain the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Legal counsel can protect the accused person’s legal rights and advise on pleading guilty or not guilty, based on the circumstances and the available evidence. Whatever defense strategy is chosen, the attorney’s goal will be obtaining the best possible outcome for the client.