(WWJ) A Wayne County woman could spend decades in prison after authorities allege she stole more than $175,000 from her employer while working as an office manager.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Tuesday that 41-year-old Kendra Marie Lewis of Redford was arraigned in 14A-3 District Court one count of Embezzlement of $100,000 or more, a 20-year felony, and two counts of Failure to File Taxes, which is a five-year felony.
It's alleged, according to the AG, that Lewis embezzled approximately $176,653 in 2020 and 2021 while she was employed at Big Ike’s Roofing Co. located in Whitmore Lake.
The owner of the company discovered that Lewis was embezzling when a new office manager was hired at his company.
Investigators who looked into the allege crime said Lewis wrote checks payable to herself and recorded them in the business checkbook ledger as being payable to various business vendors for significantly smaller amounts.
Related
“Those who steal from small businesses not only hurt the owners of those establishments, but also harm consumers by driving up the cost of doing business in our state,” said Nessel. “I will not hesitate to prosecute those who break the law.”
The AG said it charged Lewis as a habitual offender based on her prior criminal record, but did not immediately release any details about her prior crimes.
Lewis will be back in court for a probable cause conference next week.
More on today's top stories: