Redford, MI - Kendra Lewis, 42, Redford, was sentenced Friday, September 29, 2023 on one count of Embezzlement by an Agent of $50,000 to $100,000 and two counts of Making/Permitting a False Tax Return, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced.
Lewis was sentenced to 38 months to 15 years' incarceration.
Lewis was charged after she embezzled approximately $176,653 in 2020 and 2021 while employed as the office manager of Big Ike’s Roofing Co., located in Whitmore Lake. The owner of the company discovered that Lewis was embezzling when a new office manager was hired at his company. Lewis wrote checks payable to herself and recorded them in the business checkbook ledger as being payable to various business vendors for significantly smaller sums.
In July 2023, Lewis pled no contest to the charges against her and agreed to a restitution order of $197,464. She also agreed to forfeit approximately $48,000 cash that was seized from her and her husband’s residence during a search. Of the $197,464 in restitution, $176,653 is owed to the victim’s estate and the remainder is owed to the Michigan Department of Treasury for unpaid taxes.
“The defendant in this case will be required to repay as restitution the money she stole from her employer, and to compensate the State for unpaid taxes,” Nessel said. “Embezzlement from our small businesses hurts both the business and the consumers in that community. My office and our Financial Crimes Division will continue to bring embezzlers to justice and secure restitution for the victims.”
The Honorable Arianne E. Slay presided over the sentencing in the 22nd Circuit Court in Washtenaw County.