Bank Manager Charged With Embezzlement in Michigan

Brianna Freel of Cedarville was arrested and arraigned in the 92nd District Court of Mackinac County Wednesday, June 11, on charges of embezzling from her employer. She was charged with five felony charges, including embezzlement of more than $50,000, but less than $100,000, with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison; forgery, with a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison; use of a computer to commit a crime, with a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison; larceny by false pretenses, $1,000 or more, but less than $20,000, with a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and identity theft, with a maximum penalty of five years in prison, according to Michigan State Police.

Mrs. Freel had been a loan officer and branch manager at the Cedarville branch of the U.P. State Credit Union.

The Michigan State Police began investigating the case in January 2014.

Mrs. Freel waived preliminary examination and was bound over to Circuit Court. Her arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, June 19, at 2 p.m. She is free on bond.

The Michigan State Police report that the loan officer and branch manager at the Cedarville branch of the U.P. State Credit Union has been charged with embezzlement.

Officials say that the Michigan State Police from the St. Ignace Post have been investigating several cases of embezzlement at this credit union, leading to the arrest of 40-year-old Briana Freel of Cedarville.

Freel has been charged on five felony charges:

1. Embezzlement of over $50,000, but less than $100,000 (maximum penalty of 15 years in prison)
2. Forgery (maximum penalty of 14 years in prison)
3. Use of a Computer to Commit a Crime (maximum penalty of 10 years in prison)
4. Larceny by False Pretenses $1,000 or more, but less than $20,000 (maximum penalty of five years in prison)
5. Identity Theft (maximum penalty of five years in prison)

The preliminary examination was waived, and Freel was bound over to Circuit Court. Her arraignment is scheduled for June 19 at 2 p.m.