Former employee convicted of embezzling from state of Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A former employee has been convicted of embezzling money from the state of Michigan and faces up to 10 years in prison.
Rufus Chappell, from Farmington Hills, was found guilty last week on one felony count of embezzlement between $20,000 and $50,000.
According to a news release from the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, Chappell misused state vehicles for personal use over the course of several years.
“He had access to and permission to use the state motor pool vehicles, explicitly for work purposes, by virtue of his employment as an unemployment examiner with the Talent Investment Agency under the Department of Talent and Economic Development,” the release stated.
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The state launched an investigation after officials learned that Chappell’s driver’s license had been suspended. Investigators found that unauthorized usage between August 2015 and January 2019 led to more than $47,000 in usage and mileage fees.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel called his actions flagrant misuse.
“This verdict sends a clear message that stealing from the State, and thereby the taxpayers, will not be tolerated,” Nessel stated.
The 64-year-old is scheduled to be sentenced on May 17.
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