Michigan Church Official Accused Of Embezzling $100K

Robert G. Mathis, 64, formerly of Birch Run, Michigan and currently of Houston, Texas, has been charged with embezzling more than $100,000 from Christ Lutheran Church in Birch Run where he had served as congregation president for the past 12 years. Specifically, Mathis has been charged with conducting a continuing criminal enterprise, embezzling more than $100,000, third-degree money laundering and three counts of forgery. Authorities believe Mathis misappropriated the funds by writing checks and forging signatures. Update: Mathis has plead guilty to the charges.

Read the story here and here.

Former Michigan Bookkeeper Charged With Embezzling More Than $1 Million

Pamela Rene Heavner, 53, of Fenton, Michigan has been charged with embezzling more than $1 million from WPM Construction, where she had been employed as a payroll clerk. According to prosecutors, Heavner siphoned funds from the company over a five year period beginning 2005 through a sophisticated payroll scheme. Heavner was arraigned last week on a 39-count warrant, including 10 counts of embezzlement, 12 counts of uttering and publishing, 11 counts of larceny, 5 counts of fraudulent use of a computer and one count of conducting a criminal enterprise. Heavner had been employed by WPM for some 20 years.

Read the story here, here and here.

Update (9/27/10): Heavner pleaded guilty in a plea agreement to 7 felony counts, including four counts of embezzlement of at least $20,000, two counts of using a computer to commit fraudulent access and one count of uttering and publishing. She is due to be sentenced on October 4th.

Update (12/28/10): Heavner was sentenced to 23 months to 14 years in prison. She must also pay $610,200 in restitution.