Cousin Of Kilpatrick Charged With Embezzlement

DETROIT (WWJ) - Another Kilpatrick family member is facing the possibility of time in prison, following racketeering and embezzlement charges by the State Attorney General's Office.

The AG and State Police, with help of FBI, Thursday announced that Nneka Kafi Cheeks, hired as a City of Detroit employee when her cousin was mayor, has been charged for the misuse of $19,000 from the Manoogian Mansion Restoration Society.

"It to me, doesn't matter what your name is, the point here is, someone broke that law, and whatever your name is, when you misuse the funds for a charity or non-profit organization and you try to use it as a cash-box or piggy bank that's against the law and there are consequences," says Schuette about Cheeks.

The 40-year-old Livonia resident allegedly used her position to access the fund to pay $3,600 toward her wedding reception at the Roostertail, $2,619 to the Jewelry Factory for a 1.25 carat loose diamond and her husband' wedding band, $3,943 to pay off debt for an unnamed relative,  $1,140 to 'Brides Made Fit' for personal training, $450 to Allure Medical Spa for mesotherapy cosmetic injections, $4,025 in cash withdrawals, and $1,300 to Michigan Veterinary Specialists for care of her dog, "Trouble."

"It's ongoing, it's not complete, we are still investigating some issues here and there, which I can't get into, but yes it is ongoing," says Rob Howard a Special Agent at the FBI.

Attorney General Bill Schutte said they are talking with the attorney for Cheeks, recommending that she turn herself in on Friday.

She faces up to 20 years if convicted on the racketeering charge.