West Bloomfield woman charged with embezzling from vulnerable adult

By: Gena Johnson | West Bloomfield Beacon | Published February 3, 2025

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ROCHESTER HILLS — Shelley Letzer, 67, of West Bloomfield, was arraigned in 52-3 District Court in Rochester Hills Jan. 28 on charges of embezzlement, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced via a press release.

Letzer’s co-defendant, Kirk Lanam, 52, of Hartland, was also recently arraigned on charges stemming from the same alleged scheme. He is currently in the Oakland County Jail.

Letzer and Lanam became the legal power of attorney of an 87-year-old man, who the attorney general described as vulnerable or incapacitated. Letzer allegedly wrote thousands of dollars of checks to herself from the man’s bank account.

She is charged with three counts of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult, $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, a five-year felony; and one count of fraudulently obtaining a signature, a 10-year felony.

According to court records, Letzer posted a bond of $25,000. Her attorney, Mark A. Rouland, declined comment.

“Abusing the authority granted by a power of attorney to exploit vulnerable adults is an egregious violation of trust,” Nessel stated via the release. “My Department will continue to investigate and prosecute those who would embezzle funds from people entrusted with their care.”

Letzer’s  next court appearance is at 1:15 p.m. Feb. 10 in  52-3 District Court before Judge Nancy Tolwin Carniak.

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