By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TAYLOR — A seven-year employee at a local company may spend up to 20 years in prison if convicted of felony embezzlement charges.
Beth Chirillo, 42, was arraigned April 24 before 23rd District Court Judge William J. Sutherland on one count of embezzlement of $100,000 or more.
Prosecutors and police investigators allege that Chirillo stole more than $200,000 from J&J Digital Solutions, a Livonia photocopying firm that was located in Taylor during the period of investigation.
Embezzlement is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $50,000 or three times the amount embezzled, whichever is greater.
According to reports, Chirillo was the first employee hired by J&J, and accepted multiple responsibilities including payroll; at one point Chirillo was listed as Human Resources director. Allegedly, Chirillo began awarding herself sales commissions of thousands of dollars although she was not a sales person.
Investigators began looking into reported regularities about a year ago, and said that Chirillo more than doubled her salary through fraudulent means, provided her family with cellular phones paid for by the company; and accepted cash payments for copy machines turned in to be recycled.
Chirillo, who is married to a Southgate police officer, was released on $10,000 personal bond. A preliminary examination is scheduled in 23rd District Court for May 21.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected])