Goodrich – Former sports booster treasurer, Tonya Ann Yannaki, 46, accused of embezzling more than $51,000 from the Goodrich High School Sports Boosters Club will face trial in circuit court.
Yannaki’s case will be heard by Judge Yuille at the 7th Circuit Court in Genesee County on Feb. 20 at 8:30 a.m.
Facing charges of embezzlement, Yannaki is accused of taking the money from the Goodrich High School Sports Boosters Club between October 2005 and September 2007.
The missing money was reported to the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department on Oct. 1.
On Oct. 25, Yannaki was arraigned in 67th District Court before Judge David J. Goggins on embezzlement of over $20,000, a 10-year felony, plus fines of $25,000, or three times the amount stolen.
‘It isn’t all that unusual that a suspect would want to make restitution,’said David Leyton, Genesee County prosecutor. ‘What happens is when they realize they are caught, they want to pay the money back to lessen the penalty they would receive for the crime. They hope they will find some leniency in the criminal justice system.?
Leyton said Yannaki is being charged with one count of embezzlement which he said has a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
‘All felonies are heard in circuit court, and it will be my job to go over the facts of the crime,? said Leyton.
‘Even though she paid a restitution of approximately $24,000, we believe she embezzled much more than that and are we are prepared to prove it in court.?