Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Gile woman accused of embezzlement

By RICHARD JENKINS

[email protected]

Bessemer — A Gile, Wis., woman is facing six felony counts in connection with the alleged embezzlement from her job.

Heather Lee Maki, 33, is charged with one count of embezzlement between $50,000 and $100,000 and five counts of forgery.

Maki is accused of embezzling money while working as a bookkeeper at C & M Oil in Bessemer, according to Gogebic County Prosecutor Nick Jacobs.

Jacobs said Maki worked at the company for five years, and her duties included putting together the company’s payroll.

The Michigan State Police Wakefield Post’s investigation into the alleged crime — along with company records — indicate Maki is alleged to have embezzled over $75,000 from October 2013 to March 2017, Jacobs said.

“Many more checks were forged, but additional counts for each of those checks will not be necessary, as should a conviction be obtained, she will be required to make restitution on the whole,” Jacobs said in an email.

Maki is being held in the Gogebic County Jail on a $200,000 bond, of which 10 percent must be posted for her release.