Embezzle MILLIONS from a BURN victim then abscond BUT Justice ALWAYS catches up!!

[@broberts2043]

“How is the defendant paying me back my money, a punishment?” Never thought of it that way, but he’s correct.

[@jackieraulerson2005]

True

[@Peaches.523]

Same for me in an armed robbery on a much less scale. I receive $2.75 per month restitution. I’m like why bother! What is $2.75? It will take 120 years to pay me back, yeah ok.

[@Vaelosh466]

Legally it's not, restitution is separate from fines. But of course the reality is that this guy probably won't have the earning capacity to ever finish paying off the restitution so he can start paying off the fines.

[@poohbear01x48]

Its not. Restitution is just making the victim WHOLE for any lost funds. If you dont ask for pain, suffering, etc. then the court can just make the defendant pay out.

[@terrencemolinari]

This guy will never pay a dime of restitution. They should have locked him up for as long as possible under law.

[@rahulshah1408]

That man made me sick. He knew who he was and is hurting. Not one action he took is in the correct direction. 2-10 years is a start.

[@kirkf4crewdawg604]

The judge did lock him up for as long as was possible per the sentencing guide lines.. I'm sure he wanted to give him more time.

[@kk3940]

A set amount should be garnished from his future pay cheques for restitution to ensure at least some of it is paid back.

[@noneyabusiness393]

Someone should set up a gofundme for the victim, this is horrible. That guy deserves much longer than two years.

[@Mugwump7]

Yes!!

[@billsmith9249]

@@Mugwump7 gofundme are crooks too! That take mass amounts of percentages and if you're a conservative, then they'll just either steal all the money or refund it (they've done both)

[@mesapysch]

Over a half mil for 2 years stay in prison. Absolutely no deterrent there.

[@blenderbanana]

If he had a 500 Dollar lawn mower from a Home Depot, he would have gotten a decade.

[@JayBee1212]

For me 1 day is too many, but for somebody like him 2 years is probably nothing. The fact that he stole so much money should have gotten him longer jail time to sit and think, but he probably doesn’t have a conscience anyway.

[@tj12711]

There is no such thing as a deterrent for a dude willing to gamble half a million dollars at a casino. That guy could serve 20 years in prison and I guarentee you he'd be dumb enough to go back to the casino the day he gets released

[@speedingatheist]

2-10 years? So if this POS manages to behave in jail he could be out in 2 years? That is actually disgusting.

[@andrewc.2952]

That victim's impact statement was so powerful and eloquent. I just pray for the best to happen to that family who suffered this appalling loss at the hands of the defendant. In the words of one favorite judge, he didn't make a mistake, he made a choice.

[@davideocassette6312]

Judge Boyd rocks! She would've given him a tougher sentence, a truckload of mandatory programs to complete and one helluva reality check.

[@patscats2080]

Oh my GOD! How despicable.

[@janicehess9955]

I would like to see a judge NOT agree to a plea deal and throw the book at a lying defendant. Judge Stevens will.

[@momsterzz]

Nah, he’d just put him in timeout for a few minutes.

[@patriciabrown2738]

So sad

[@ghanagoldtv1604]

Oh and Judge Boyd!

[@djjones7226]

@janicehess 9955 Judge Gauthier did reject the plea deal on the second case. The sentencing guidelines were 0-17 months and the plea agreement was for zero upfront jail time. The judge actually sentenced the disgusting pos to a term of up to 10 in prison... and I'm certain if he could have, he would have sentenced him to longer. He really destroyed the life of his victim and family😪

[@Esther-lm6pm]

Boyd. The lazy judge... It's easier for him to agree with pleas . (He doesn't read the paperwork. He just let's the DA run the show just like every judge

[@mikesch7672]

I'm so disappointed in that sentencing.

[@ruthroberts8868]

This type of case is so hard. Nobody ever wins, and the money is never recovered. The courts won’t badger the embezzler to pay the restitution, while the victim is badgered daily for the back taxes and moneys owed.

[@marlayneboblett1267]

Too bad they no longer have chain gangs where he would at least be forced into hard labor in cold and hot weather. That at least might make him think about his actions if nothing else. Those people labored hard for what they got, blood, sweat and tears. Too bad he cannot do the same instead of sit in jail and be fed 😡

[@jayschafer1760]

​@@marlayneboblett1267Yeah, I'd love to see this guy working the farm in the Mississippi prison system to pay back the restitution with his prison wages of $0.30/hour or whatever.

[@CleeTorres_]

The victim’s statement was absolutely heart wrenching! He’s gutted you can tell in his voice. The defendant is pure evil.

[@silvioschurig749]

Giving that fraudster a job and hoping for restitution is like giving an addict his drug and to hope they will share ...

[@hildia5439]

People think that white collar crime doesn't really hurt anyone. But it does.

[@blenderbanana]

Workers in the US have an estimated $50bn-plus stolen from them every year, according to the Economic Policy Institute, surpassing all robberies, burglaries and motor vehicle thefts combined. The majority of these stolen wages are never recovered by workers Wage theft occurs when employers do not pay workers according to the law. Examples of wage theft include paying less than minimum wage, not paying workers overtime, not allowing workers to take meal and rest breaks, requiring off the clock work, or taking workers' tips.

[@blenderbanana]

If they steal 10k from your paycheck over 2 years, it's "business". If someone blew your guts out, for stealing a $200 television, most of America would call you a Hero. Mad World.

[@dpofahl]

If I were the judge, I would have put him in prison for the max amount of time but ordered work release with 100% of his income going to the victim while he’s incarcerated

[@maryholden3136]

That sounds fair

[@justanothersmith6012]

If he skipped 2 sentencing hearings he can’t be trusted to repay anything.

[@donnas.1075]

Steal HALF A MILLION DOLLARS and get only 2 years in prison???!!! WHAT?! I think that was an EXTREMELY lenient sentence! 😔😡 I feel so sorry for the victim and his family. By the way, the victim was extraordinarily well-spoken.

[@AskMeABee]

There should be a job jail where these people go to pay off their restitution at $10/hr.

[@momsterzz]

YES I think about this for the parents they lock up for not paying child support. Locking them up does no good if they aren’t earning an income.

[@anythingforselenas806]

@@momsterzz well a lot of times in the extreme child support cases they’re not paying anything (or trying to) while free so why not lock them up and let them pay nothing from jail?

[@North_West1]

In many jurisdictions the state will garish an inmates commissary accounts to pay restitution. (50% or 100%). That makes prison life miserable…no snacks or in this guys case…no jerky sticks to gamble with.

[@gwynluv5447]

We need to STOP negotiating with criminals. If this is truly the biggest case of embezzlement in the state then this sentence is wholly inadequate. If he's not going to pay back the restitution then put him jail for decades. He's going to do this again to someone else. This family deserves their money back but they won't get it, so lock him up for a very long time. This is an absurd plea deal and ridiculous sentence.

[@JimNasium71]

I was wondering why they couldn't put him in jail instead of prison, make him work 12 hour days..1 job or 1 ft and 1 pt, make him pay the jail the $35 per day that they charge people, make him buy a yearly bus pass or dial a ride pass and then the rest of the money goes to this family that he ruined financially! It seems like such a better idea than just letting him sit and live off taxpayers, which I AM one of being a Michigander. I would sure love to see something like that happen

[@poohbear01x48]

You cant jail someone for being poor and not paying restitution. Despite what you obviously want, even criminals have rights. Hopefully you never end up in their shoes - but if you do, Im sure you’d be glad to know you’re not in control.

[@poohbear01x48]

@@JimNasium71So you are literally calling for forced labor at inhuman wages. Freaking 2023 and here’s someone called for forced slavery 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@tsukipon74]

​​@@poohbear01x48 deserves nothing for what he did to that family

[@poohbear01x48]

@@tsukipon74 remember, anything you call for being done to someone else can also be done to you. That is the nature of justice. I wouldn’t inflict a punishment on someone that you yourself wouldnt be willing to suffer. Its not congruent. Its certainly NOT justice. Revenge and justice are two different things, and you obviously understand neither

[@melodywilliams9124]

Disappointing sentence. Minimum of 2 years for 500k? Insane.

[@North_West1]

When it took the couple a lifetime to earn their nest egg for retirement.

[@KevlarSammy]

I’m surprised that their state law has not caught up with federal.

[@anythingforselenas806]

Imagine actually saying “I forgot” to a court and thinking it’s acceptable.

[@Ocrilat]

It's worse than that. When he missed his date the first thing that would have happened was his attorney calling him. If he REALLY got the date wrong, he would have turned himself in that day. That he had to be caught by police later says volumes about his excuse.

[@amanda_215]

Someone is always dying, someone is always in the hospital, someone always needs or just had surgery, the excuses are endless

[@cindyterry347]

What a despicable human being to ruin the lives of a family. Greedy greedy greedy

[@lirpa1981]

Yet there is no real punishment and the money will never be repaid.

[@deshawn53988]

Another lazy prosecutor! Too afraid and lazy to go to trial and cuts a deal. She should be ashamed of herself. Agreed that The victim didn’t know for five years?? Where is he from? St Olaf??

[@marlayneboblett1267]

The embezzler stole not only money, but health, mental anguish and their spirit. He can never repay those people. He can never serve enough time. Disgusting he does not take responsibility for his actions. No conscience whatsoever. Those poor people, my heart 💔 for them.😡

[@jaceek2030]

What a disgusting excuse of a human. Its so very sad the defendants will likely never see a dime of any restitution of the money stolen from them..money they worked their entire lives for.

[@jennydiver100]

I feel terrible for the victim, but how do you let a guy with an eleventh grade education have access to that much of your money?

[@kk3940]

Did you not listen to the video?? It explains how he did it.

[@DoodleMomNC]

He won’t see any money from that loser.

[@kerryadams9100]

Being a liar doesn't get you very far in court! How is the guy going to pay back such a large amount of money? He can't and won't. He has severely ruined the lives of the people that he stole the money from. He is a deplorable human being who is unable to show any remorse for his crime. Judge Gauthier should have given him the max time available. I am very disappointed in the sentence. 🤬

[@EDSzebra1]

If he tested positive, then he drank. It doesn't come from wound cleaning or hand sanitizer! That's ridiculous!!!

[@talas4670]

Saw this a few months ago and still can't believe he said cleaning his wounds with rubbing alcohol may be the reason he was positive for alcohol in his system😂😂😂

[@pennkeuka]

Standard excuses: 1) somebody died 2) alot going on 3) spontaneous absorption

[@RakdosRules95]

His family should be held accountable for the payments while he's in jail.

[@tj12711]

That is ludicrous. Truly the dumbest idea I've ever read

[@speedingatheist]

@RakdosRules00 👈🤡

[@leetakamiya]

Problem is the prosecutor pleading down to $20k violations. Should have gone for the max $100k .The evidence is there, the victims seem willing to cooperate. Go for the twenty year max.

[@TStheDeplorable]

What I find outrageous is that if this guy had just shown up to his original sentencing hearing, he'd have gotten no time. The prosecutor had to agree to that. This is a financial crime with paper trails, and it would have been very straight forward to convict him at a trial. Why the hell would the prosecutor agree to a no prison time deal? Shame on them. They only got an righteous anger after the guy inconvenienced them by not showing up for a hearing.

[@jayschafer1760]

Prosecutor probably agreed to that originally because the victim needed money, any money, and they thought leaving the guy out of prison would at least lead to some restitution. I suspect this guy will be working a lot of jobs off the books so he doesn't have to pay restitution.

[@jaythebarbarian195]

A lot of it is calculated risk. Juries can be very tricky sometimes. Plus the more acquittals a prosecutor has the more it hurts their career.

[@scottmeadors1185]

That was a complete joke!!!!

[@undecidedmiddleground5633]

If he appeals, the appeals court should grant the appeal on the sentence saying it's too low and send it back.

[@magiegainey5036]

That is so not fair that the victim has to pay over 4,000 per month to pay back the money that a$$ stole! So awful. 😢. He should have to sell everything he owns and live in a homeless shelter and give the victim every penny he makes working. I feel for the defense lawyer. Can you imagine having to defend that creep?!?

[@kcindc5539]

Well sort of. But it’s worse than that. The $4.000 per month the victim is paying is for back taxes to the state of Michigan and the IRS because the money they would have used to pay those taxes on time was stolen. That $4,000 per month is coming out of the victims pocket ON TOP OF the $590K the defendant stole. Bottom line is the victim went into debt and is steadily losing what is left of their money to pay off overdue taxes and fines. And the victim will never see one penny in restitution from the defendant.

[@jammenjammenz4965]

So the message is crime pays. Prison gives him a day for a day good time so only 1-5 years for half a million embezzlement.

[@judycook1918]

That the saddest thing I have seen in a long time. That jerk could not care a any less about the people he hurt if he tried. Karma is a Birch.

[@brendashelton4400]

I wish judge Stevens county have been the judge here...He is very adamant about making people whole again and doing absolutely everything he can to serve justice to a defender that stole from someone!!!

[@barnabascollins4625]

This is absolutely disgusting what this individual did to these people

[@richland99354]

We need to do crowdfunding for the victims

[@RubyMorton]

Second case is heartbreaking.

[@Melesx2]

Can anyone tell me what would this guy’s sentence would have been if he had embezzled $595000 of the IRS? 2 years for that amount of money (and only if you get caught), I think I’ll take up embezzling. The American ‘justice’ system is baffling, there is absolutely no consistency to it whatsoever.

[@pamooconnor8154]

What kind of punishment or deterrent is that, he stole years of retirement from these people, they’re in debtors prison and he gets to parole out after two years, heck he has time to go do it all over again.

[@alrighty6898]

I would make him pay and when he’s employed, send him to prison

[@njemilenantan2269]

This man who embezzled is a disgrace I do hope he does not have a good time in prison.

[@MotJ949]

I have to wonder how the business owners didn’t notice half a million dollars. I feel bad for them, and he shouldn’t have stolen money, but if you’re going to invest in owning a business, you need to have structures in place to prevent someone from stealing over half a million dollars.

[@MetlKen87]

The screwed up thing about this is when all is said and done this clown stole $1M from those poor people. And they will never recieve a fraction of that back from him. Too bad this judge didnt throw the book at this guy. Absolutely ridiculous.

[@susanengel-ix8bl]

I don't think they will get any of it back, they seldom do.

[@SharonRUSSO-u5s]

Way too lenient sentence. He has ruined a family's finances and he gets 2-10 years?

[@Tam58851520]

Love Judge Gauthier, but this should be a 10 to 20 sentence not 2 to 10.

[@blenderbanana]

The guy reaponsible for the SCANA fraud in South Carolina got 2 years. He(they) stole 11 Billion Dollars in state, federal and customer funds over a decade; to build a concrete pit.

[@debrakleid5752]

So he wipes out the couples bank accounts due to his own greed and his attorney is trying to get him off with no more jail time because he served a whopping 18 days? Here is an idea. Give this creep a large jail sentence and then the state should be allowed to sell everything he owns and that money should go to the victims.

[@kevinflick61]

I can't actually believe the defense attorney actually backed up his client saying that he may have gotten alcohol in his system from cleaning his wounds. Is he really that stupid or is he really that naive?

[@Ocrilat]

...or his client claimed it, he used it knowing the judge would see it as ridiculous. I'd have done that.

[@loisbolton1800]

He is required to advocate vociferously for his client, no matter how preposterous the premise.

[@Ocrilat]

@@loisbolton1800 Agreed, and the client is in charge of their own case. But I can't imagine the lawyer didn't know this would never work. I work in advertising/marketing, and I've had clients that didn't listen to me. I admit I get a bit of satisfaction watching their decision blow up in their faces. The thing is, if a client listens to me and acts on my advice, I get paid. If a client doesn't listen to me, I get paid.

[@momsterzz]

No, this is what defence lawyers do. They try to defend their client with the information they have.

[@uacbpa]

It's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. Chances are the attorney supported that nonsense at the request of the defendant.

[@janicesawatzky3591]

This guy should NOT be awarded a court appointed attorney!!!😡

[@Mugwump7]

I have an uncle that lied to my mother, had her sign some things and stole over $1m. The things that go through my mind…I so feel for this gentleman. Mine was inheritance, this gent and his bride did it the hard way. It’s just so awful.

[@FrenkTheJoy]

At least he tried a new excuse instead of the old "I have a cold, it was the Nyquil that made me have such a high BAC!"

[@olddogg60]

In that last case the defendant needs to get the maximum sentence. He would never try or be able to pay anything resembling a meaningful restitution.

[@mydobie130]

Incredibly sad

[@patrickb5783]

This is a terrible one to figure out. Give him many years in prison, which he deserves, he can't pay anything back, but at the same time, jail time is needed.

[@djjones7226]

In the first case I'm reminded of how mind numbingly stupid some of these defendant's explanations & excuses are for failing their drug/alcohol testing. This one, claiming that alcohol entered his system as a result of using "alcohol to clean my wounds" is one of the more ignorant ones I've heard😅 The second case was absolutely heart wrenching to witness. The severity of impact on the victim(s) and the savagery of the pos defendant is as extensive as it is evil! In what should be the glorious golden years of retirement and reward for a lifetime of hard work the victims are now left in abject ruin. The defendant literally destroyed the lives of good people who gave him a job.. and he did so, clearly without conscience or remorse. The most disgusting part of his crime is that he used the trust that was placed in him to perpetuate the embezzlement of his employers for so many years undetected. He is a diabolical pi$$ poor excuse of a human.

[@noahsarknancy]

You don't clean wounds with alcohol. For one thing it would hurt like hell, for another it's too strong and would destroy the tissue that you're wanting to heal.

[@collettedobrocke4518]

Just not enough time

[@sixfivecreedmoor]

2 to 10?! Nowhere near enough.

[@jennydiver100]

As a nurse, we do not use alcohol to clean wounds.

[@anythingforselenas806]

I truly hope the owner of that bakery knows what this psycho thief is capable of.

[@2ToneWalt]

The judge could at least give him 10 minutes in a room alone.

[@AccidentalJurist61]

Not anywhere near enough time…tragic

[@michaelcarr2095]

Who woulda thought the judge wouldn’t believe that one, right?! I get drunk every time I cut myself 😂

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

Shylock had the answer: A pound of flesh.

[@JenniferThacker1969]

The first guy I laughed so hard at!!! 😂🤣😂🤣😂 He's such a liar! I'm so glad the judge seen right through him! Good job Judge! For once a judge did what they're supposed to do!

[@kevinflick61]

Should have gotten more time in prison

[@Redrally]

2-10 years is something like a long con. IF this defendant is able to behave in prison and follow all the rules, he MIGHT be considered for release. I get the feeling he'll make his own situation worse and see 12 years in the slammer at minimum.

[@EmGee67]

I just watched a case where a stalker got 10 years. This seems woefully inadequate. He ruined the lives of his employers and just care. I hope he does the full 10 years.

[@SMP-RN]

No more than 10 years!? These victims will never recoup what was stolen from them.

[@tommylarson7219]

There will never be any restitution paid back to the victims, so judge should have given him the longest possible sentence…….

[@susanengel-ix8bl]

That's what I said, there will always be some kind of excuse and or he will get lost in some other place when he gets out!!

[@Suisfonia]

I really do think that we need a debtors prison, given how many people have to pay restitution but do not.

[@mariroberts231]

As a paralegal the judicial system has FAILED the plaintiff in a HUGE way. Just disgusting..2 yrs? SERIOUSLY? That is not only a joke but, a slap in the face to the plaintiff..Judge could have done WAY better. My heart goes out to the plaintiff.

[@zubetp]

i'm heartbroken for that man. what a violation.

[@usmcchrisg]

It would take 30 seconds of research to learn his rubbing alcohol excuse would never work.

[@michaelguida448]

TWO YEARS!!! are you kidding. That's 250K per in jail. not a bad salary. He gets out and pays 10.00 a week in restitution and he's good to go. what an absolute tragedy for the victims. They don't get justice from either direction.

[@TedBackus]

human organs garner a decent price on certain markets. i think i remember hearing the human body is worth around 3/4 of a million dollars on those markets. so i have an idea how he can pay the money back. i got 3yrs for stealing less than two thousand dollars as a kid. this is the new soft on crime legal system

[@jdranetz]

Does the judge have much of a choice where to send the embezzler? Instead of county jail, could he have at least sent him to State prison, Maximum Security. Where it will be the longest 2 years he ever experienced.

[@michaelleitner1245]

This guy was sent to Michigan DOC, which is state prison. Jail sentences are one year or less, usually. It can be argued that some jails are worse than prisons.

[@BigTiffDog.]

This should’ve been a federal case and I really don’t understand why it’s not. Also, I’m not victim blaming at all and I don’t know the specifics, but this is why you shouldn’t completely trust anyone with your finances. At least with a federal case there would’ve been a 20 year post-conviction restitution (super) lien. The defendant is young and has plenty of workable years ahead of him. A federal restitution lien also allows the Department of Treasury to withhold Social Security benefits for non-tax debt (restitution).

[@North_West1]

Sounds like the crime was confined to the state of Michigan.

[@cargopilotguy305]

@@North_West1feds have jurisdiction on wire fraud/credit card fraud. But they’re too busy arresting people who took a tour of the capital

[@Raccoon_Mama.]

I think this is the most HEART-BREAKING crime the channel has covered. Wow! This would be a great reason for a GoFundMe for the family! This is just a travesty....a slap on the wrist.

[@SteelersNation763]

Please your Honor I need to get out really, really, bad. Why!! I need a alcoholic beverage. I bet that's the very first thing he does. You can see he is going through withdrawals.

[@Grimm299]

As someone who likely will work until they die, I feel for that couple

[@momof2boys895]

is that all the time he gets for stealing all that money...that is totally unfair

[@OSGCourtWatch]

yeah...i cant even imagine the frustration the victims must feel...

[@AnotherOpinionatedIdiot]

Wow. This man is a menace. He should be monitored for life. And wow @ that impact statement.

[@AnotherOpinionatedIdiot]

Lol we can definitely print money, we plebs just aren't worth it. 🤣

[@emilyk2244]

how many employees did he have to lay off, how many lost their jobs due to this guy too? So far reaching

[@Zamiroh]

Ill be honest i wish he would have gotten 20 years. I also feel that he should have been required to work a prison job for maybe 2.50 an hr and 100% of that turned over to the victim.

[@B-24Liberator]

Now the tax payer has to pay his way in prison.

[@momsterzz]

First loser still looks like he’s on something. What a lame excuse. Isn’t it also a big no no to lie to yourself about being sober for 3 yrs. He’s going to have to start all over.

[@julianyc422]

The Banks, Casinos and Credit Card companies owe the customers and that Man all the money back as it was stolen. Plus, it's in all their commercials, that you are protected. And the Casino excepted stolen funds.

[@gidgettrophy]

Your Honor,My Client has been locked up for 7 days and he has indicated to me that he is mighty thirsty.

[@Wildcat221]

This guy needs to work 80 hours a week the rest of his life..and what’s sad is that still wouldn’t be enough. He should be forced to work and pay money back, he keeps just enough to live and eat, the rest goes to this poor family. The farther I got in this video, the more heartbreaking it got.

[@ayronsmama05]

🐃💩 2-10yrs 🐃💩!!

[@patriciaevans5906]

I hate plea deals in criminal cases…it’s another way for the victims to be victimized again. I get it’s not always about punishment but it’s also very seldom about justice…not revenge…for the victims. I also understand the jails and prisons are full…build more or renovate old buildings. So many could care less about breaking the law…why should they…very little is done to them. And restitutions are very seldom ever met….if they’re not going to pay then let them spend their time in prison. No excuses for most of these crimes & for people committing them. I’ve become very saddened & disgusted by the judicial system & the so called sentences they hand out….that in itself is a huge injustice. This man will never pay this family back…ever. I’m almost to the point of why even have court?

[@richsenecal]

Listening to the Judge in the embezzler's case, I really thought that he was going to give him the maximum possible sentence. Then he wimped out! 2-10 really? Not even a slap on the wrist considering the impact of the crime. Well, if the judge is not going to sentence him properly then I hope that his fellow inmates make his time in prison very uncomfortable for him.