Daily Briefs

Michigan employee pleads guilty to embezzling over $855K


LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A former state employee pleaded guilty Tuesday in a Michigan court to embezzling over $855,000 from the state.

Joseph Pettit, who worked for the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, was responsible for returning performance bonds to companies that drill or operate gas and oil wells, when ownership changes hands. Instead of giving bonds back to the original owners, Pettit made up vendors and diverted the bonds to bank accounts he made up for the vendors.

Pettit pleaded guilty to two felonies of embezzlement of over $100,000, which are punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine. He also pleaded guilty to a felony involving the forgery and then passage of documents, which is punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

He is expected to serve prison time and pay the $855,690 he embezzled as part of the plea, according to a news release from the Michigan Attorney General's office.

"This plea brings us one step closer to securing accountability in this case, and therefore, justice for the people of Michigan," Attorney General Dana Nessel said in the news release.

Pettit is scheduled for sentencing on Nov. 17.

 

Annual ACC-MI Golf Outing set for Sept. 28
 

The Association of Corporate Counsel, Michigan Chapter, will host its 24th Annual ACC Michigan Golf Outing on Tuesday, September 28, at Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center, 8768 North Territorial Road in Plymouth.

Participation in the outing supports ACC-MI’s scholarship program for some of Michigan’s best and brightest future in-house counsel.  The event offers a relaxing day of golf, re-connecting, and forming new relationships.

The outing features:

9:30 - 10:45 a.m.—Registration & Warm Up

11 a.m. - 4 p.m.—Shotgun Start for 18 Holes

4 - 4:45 p.m.—Reception

4:45 p.m.—ACC Michigan Annual Meeting, Dinner, & Prizes

For additional information or to register, visit www.acc.com/chapters-networks/chapters/michigan.

Bankruptcy judge to discuss ‘The New Normal’ online Sept. 9
The Bankruptcy Committee of the Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan, will present a webinar titled “The New Normal in Bankruptcy Court: A Discussion with Chief Judge Daniel S. Opperman” on Thursday, September 9, from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.
Ongoing challenges related to COVID-19 have impacted court proceedings of all types.  In this webinar, Chief Judge Daniel S. Opperman will discuss the current state of operations in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and will discuss some of the “reopening plans” being considered by the court.
To sign up for the free event, visit https://membersnew.fbamich.org/events.php.  Anyone with questions can email Paul Hage at phage@jaffelaw.com.


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