Being accused of embezzlement or fraud is serious in Michigan and elsewhere. A woman who was fired from an irrigation board in another state in 2017 is charged with white collar crimes she allegedly committed between 2014 and 2017. The former employee’s indictment in February included embezzlement and other charges involving over $27,000.
According to court documents, the defendant was the executive administrative assistant of the board of control and allegedly used her position to use the board’s funds for personal enrichment. Federal prosecutors allege the defendant used company credit cards without consent to pay for purchases like silver coins, a guitar and photographic equipment. It is further alleged that she forged checks by using board members’ names without their consent.
The defendant faces 17 charges, including bank fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors also claim that the defendant used over $500 to support her election campaign for her failed 2016 bid for a position in the legislature. It is alleged that the defendant falsely reported using funds from a personal loan to pay for campaign signs.
Defending white collar crimes charges is a complicated legal process, and those in Michigan facing similar charges will certainly want to navigate it with the support and guidance of an experienced criminal defense attorney. The lawyer will assess the evidence and the charges against the client. White collar crimes charges, particularly at the federal level, are substantial and require careful defense preparation. In some instances that may mean negotiation a plea agreement in exchange for favorable sentencing considerations, while in others it may mean contesting the charges at every stage of the proceedings.