Ex-police chief embezzlement case heads to trial.

January 18, 2017

Robert Wilson

Ex-police chief embezzlement case heads to trial.

#OceanaCountyNews #CourtNews

By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.

HART — The felony embezzlement case against fired Shelby Police Chief Robert Wilson, 62, is heading to trial in April.

Wilson appeared in 27th Circuit Court for a pretrial hearing Wednesday, Jan. 18, with his defense attorney, Terry Shaw.

“Mr. Wilson would like to exercise his right to have a jury trial,” said Shaw.

Wilson faces six felony charges, one of which is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, due to allegedly performing fraudulent vehicle inspections.

Wilson faces one count of embezzlement $50,000-$100,000, which is a 15-year felony, and five counts of motor vehicle code – false certification, each of which are punishable by up to five years in prison.

Michigan State Assistant Attorney General Oronde Patterson, who is handling the prosecution, said he expects the trial to last two and a half days.

Patterson offered a plea deal which would have allowed Wilson to plead to an added count of embezzlement $20,000-$50,000, which is a 10-year felony, and one count of motor vehicle code – false certification, with the other counts being dismissed. The plea deal called for Wilson paying $70,000 in restitution.

Wilson was fired by the Shelby Village Council with a 5-1 vote last January following an internal investigation that revealed he had allegedly been doing salvage vehicle inspections without notifying the village and without paying the village the money from the inspections.

Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. David Johnson of the Hart post conducted the months-long investigation.

Wilson is free on a $10,000/10 percent bond. Judge Anthony A. Monton continued his bond Wednesday.

The trial is set for April 26-28. A final conference is scheduled for March 27 at 9 a.m.

Tags: embezzlment case, Ex Shelby Police Chief Robert Wilson