ForestCam
04-18-2003, 07:08 PM
Lansing man charged with embezzling from blind boss
Police: Worker inflated checks, stole $10,000
By Kara Richardson
Lansing State Journal
A Lansing man embezzled more than $10,000 from his boss, who is blind, by handing him inflated checks to sign, police say.
Jesse James Firestone worked as George Wurtzel's bookkeeper at Counterpoint Creations, a cabinet company in Lansing, since August 2002, said Lansing police Detective Steven McClean.
Wurtzel is nationally recognized for his carpentry and has been featured in several trade magazines.
"I think it's unfortunate that someone would take advantage of another person's disability - especially after being placed in a position of trust," McClean said.
Firestone, 23, turned himself in to authorities this week and was arraigned on one count of embezzlement of under $20,000, McClean said. He is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing, which will determine whether there's enough evidence to advance the case to trial, April 25. If convicted, Firestone faces up to five years in prison. He is free on bond.
Firestone's attorney, Bruce Barton of Jackson, declined to comment. Firestone's phone number has been disconnected.
Wurtzel said he noticed a discrepancy March 12 when money seemed tight and he was about to lay off two employees.
He was checking his account balance over the phone and noticed a check for about $240 that he didn't recognize on his account.
Soon he and a friend discovered dozens of inflated checks - paychecks that should have been about $360 written for $600 to $800 and a number of reimbursement checks written to Firestone. "I'm a very trusting person and I was a little dumbfounded," said Wurtzel, who lost his vision after developing retinitis pigmentosa as a child.
Ingham County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Joyce Draganchuk said Firestone wouldn't be charged with violating vulnerable adult abuse laws because Firestone was Wurtzel's employee - not his guardian.
Police: Worker inflated checks, stole $10,000
By Kara Richardson
Lansing State Journal
A Lansing man embezzled more than $10,000 from his boss, who is blind, by handing him inflated checks to sign, police say.
Jesse James Firestone worked as George Wurtzel's bookkeeper at Counterpoint Creations, a cabinet company in Lansing, since August 2002, said Lansing police Detective Steven McClean.
Wurtzel is nationally recognized for his carpentry and has been featured in several trade magazines.
"I think it's unfortunate that someone would take advantage of another person's disability - especially after being placed in a position of trust," McClean said.
Firestone, 23, turned himself in to authorities this week and was arraigned on one count of embezzlement of under $20,000, McClean said. He is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing, which will determine whether there's enough evidence to advance the case to trial, April 25. If convicted, Firestone faces up to five years in prison. He is free on bond.
Firestone's attorney, Bruce Barton of Jackson, declined to comment. Firestone's phone number has been disconnected.
Wurtzel said he noticed a discrepancy March 12 when money seemed tight and he was about to lay off two employees.
He was checking his account balance over the phone and noticed a check for about $240 that he didn't recognize on his account.
Soon he and a friend discovered dozens of inflated checks - paychecks that should have been about $360 written for $600 to $800 and a number of reimbursement checks written to Firestone. "I'm a very trusting person and I was a little dumbfounded," said Wurtzel, who lost his vision after developing retinitis pigmentosa as a child.
Ingham County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Joyce Draganchuk said Firestone wouldn't be charged with violating vulnerable adult abuse laws because Firestone was Wurtzel's employee - not his guardian.