The alleged number of victims of the Goodrich woman arrested on Jan. 24 for allegedly writing bad checks to pay sellers at her former consignment business is growing.
‘As of Feb. 26 we now have 35 victims with more than $71,000 in losses,? said Chris Swanson, Genesee County Undersheriff. ‘When she was first arrested the number (of victims) was 16’that’s now more than doubled. And I’m sure there will be many more.?
Bernadette Jacobs, 34, was arrested in her driveway by Genesee County Sheriff’s deputies and later charged with four felony counts of check fraud. On Jan. 25, Jacobs was arraigned in 67th District Court in front of Judge Larry Stecco. Each count has a sentence of two years in jail and/or $2,000. Bond was set at $10,000, a total of $2,500 for each of the four counts of fraud. Jacobs posted $1,000, a 10 percent surety and was released. She has no prior offenses. Sheriff’s deputies searched her home following the arrest and recovered property belonging to several victims.
In April 2012, Jacobs opened The B Hive, 7285 M-15, in Atlas Township. The 22,000-square-foot facility included consignment items, a weekly flea market and was home to her auction company, Legacy Estate Services. Jacobs closed the operation in December 2013.
According to the Genesee County Sheriff Department on Feb. 22 several of the alleged victims were allowed into The B Hive seeking some of their items.
‘We had victims identify some of their property,? said Swanson. ‘Unfortunately, far too many items were not recovered?