Attorney General Bill Schuette and Michigan Department of Human Services Director Maura D. Corrigan today announced that the Attorney General's Public Integrity Unit has charged a Department of Homeland Security employee with two felony embezzlement charges after an internal investigation.
Led by Director Al Kimichik, the investigation revealed the employee, whose job allowed her to utilize procurement cards, or p-cards, for authorized expenses, also used the cards for personal benefit.
"Inappropriately using state resources is not only shameful, but compromises the integrity of government and violates the public trust." said Schuette. "Our Public Integrity Unit is committed to safeguarding taxpayer dollars."
"DHS will not tolerate the misuse of public dollars for personal gain," said Corrigan. "That is why the DHS Office of Inspector General aggressively investigates all complaints of fraud and abuse and why we take swift action to ensure our employees conduct themselves with taxpayers' best interests in mind."
Michelle Metzmaker, a General Office Assistant for the Michigan Community Service Commission within DHS, was responsible for making travel arrangements and food purchases for meetings related to DHS operations.
It is alleged that between September 2009 and June 2011, Metzmaker embezzled a total of $4,415.48 by making unapproved purchases with the p-cards she was authorized to use for official business only. Allegedly, Metzmaker's personal use of the cards included payments to Playtime Billiards, Inc., Verizon Wireless, Comcast of Lansing, Two Men and a Truck and other non-work related expenses.
Although DHS had a reporting process in place to ensure a supervisor signed off on all purchases with the cards, Schuette charges that Ms. Metzmaker used her position with access to the office mail to keep her unauthorized purchases hidden.
Metzmaker has been charged in Lansing's 30th Circuit Court with one count of embezzlement by an agent or trustee $1,000.00 or more but less than $20,000.00, a felony punishable by up to five years and/or $10,000.00, or three times the amount embezzled, whichever is greater and one count of embezzlement by a public official over $50.00, a felony punishable by up to 10 years or $5,000.00.
Metzmaker has surrendered to authorities and is awaiting arraignment, which is expected to take place Friday.
Metzmaker has been placed on unpaid suspension pending criminal charges in this case, pursuant to labor relations policy between the state and her bargaining unit.
