BY SHERI McWHIRTER
GAYLORD -- A Gaylord woman faces felony embezzlement and forgery charges for allegedly stealing at least $150,000 from a Gaylord builders and contractors group.
Linda Wiseley, 56, was arraigned this month in 87th District Court and released on a personal recognizance bond. Her arrest follows the Gaylord Police Department's investigation into alleged thefts from the northern Michigan chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan.
Wisely earned $28,000 plus benefits annually as the Gaylord chapter's executive director.
"Most of it was overpaying herself in wages and buying personal items on a company credit card," said Gaylord Police Chief Joe FitzGerald. "She's been doing it for 10 years, off and on."
Authorities do not yet know exactly how much money is missing, but do know it's more than $150,000, FitzGerald said.
"It was a trusted employee who took advantage of that trust over a number of years," said Otsego County Prosecutor Kyle Legel.
Legel wants to look at possible restitution in the case, he said.
Gaylord attorney Elliot Blumberg represents Wiseley and intends to contest the amount of money that allegedly was taken, he said.
Police said money began vainshing in 1996 and continued until December 2006, when the agency closed its doors in Gaylord.
"It's discouraging to no longer have that here in Gaylord," said Chuck Klee, a Gaylord electrical contractor and former president of the agency's local board. "And I'm real disappointed in her. I've known her for 25 years."
The group formerly operated out of an office in downtown Gaylord and was an affiliated branch of the Associated of Builders and Contractors of Michigan. That group supports merit-based construction contracts, offers informational sessions and offers health and workers' compensation insurance to members.
Wiseley is set for a pre-trial hearing on Thursday in Gaylord. A preliminary examination will follow on Feb. 7.
