By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TAYLOR — A woman accused of embezzling up to $200,000 from a local business pleaded guilty July 3 and could face up to 20 years in prison when sentenced next month.
Beth Chirillo pleaded guilty to one felony count of embezzlement of $100,000 or more from J&J Digital Solutions, a small company she worked at beginning in November 2007. According to testimony heard during a May preliminary examination in 23rd District Court, in November 2009 Chirillo began processing paychecks for herself worth $1,000 more than her weekly salary.
Overpayments continued of that amount or greater for about 18 months, prosecutors said. Chirillo also made personal use of company equipment to include cellular phones; she was allowed one cellular account but had two others that were used by family members. Prosecutors said that Chirillo fraudulently accepted nearly $180,000 in excess salary. Chirillo is married to a Southgate police officer.
Chirillo is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 15 before Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Margie Braxton.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected])