The Romeo Observer - Romeo, Michigan: Northern Macomb County's weekly newspaper since 1866

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Posted: 06/27/12

Embezzlement case heads
to Macomb Circuit Court

by CHRIS GRAY
Observer Staff Writer

      Plea negotiations that unraveled for undisclosed reasons has caused the case of two former Romeo Lions Club members charged with stealing from the charity to move to a higher court.
       The cases involving Bobbi Jo Craft and Todd Walker have been moved to the Circuit Court in Mount Clemens. The proceedings are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Monday, July 2.
       At an exam on June 21 in the 42-1 District Court in Romeo, both Craft and Walker told Judge William Hackel III they wished to waive their rights to a preliminary exam.
       Both are being charged with embezzlement of more than $1,000 but less than $10,000.
       Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith said plea negotiations fell through, causing the defendants to waive their rights to the exams. He said his offices plan on not taking any pleas unless the entire embezzled amount is paid up front.
       "Once it hits the circuit we'll discuss the case with the Romeo Lions, the defendant and her attorney and see if we can't resolve this with the Romeo Lions getting back their money in short order," Smith said.
       Gary Schocke, Lions Club member, said the hope is that the Lions Club will be reimbursed.
       "Nothing's finalized, that's why they're kicking it up to Circuit Court," he said.
       Stephen Rabaut, Craft's attorney, said he expects the case will be resolved prior to a trial.
       Craft was the treasurer of the Lions Club as well as a deputy with the Macomb County Sheriff's Office before resigning from both positions. Police reports indicate she embezzled by falsifying signatures on checks over a five-month period in 2011.
       Reports show Walker, who maintained Lions Club property, is accused of purchasing personal items using the club's Home Depot credit card.