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Police: Woman Stole $180K From Employer

STERLING HEIGHTS (WWJ) - A 45-year-old Lapeer County woman is facing charges of swindling a Sterling Heights company out of more than $180,000.

Mary Ellen McCabe, charged with one count of embezzlement over $100,000, is due back in 41A District Court for a preliminary exam on Wednesday.

The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office says McCabe, a Metamora resident, was an accounts payable manager for Cranbrook Property Management when the crimes occurred.

The management company handles separate bank accounts through one bank for condominium associations throughout the metro Detroit area. The company collects members' association dues, deposits them in the association's individual accounts and pays bills for services provided by contractors, such as lawn care and snow removal.

The prosecutors office says records indicate that McCabe began embezzling funds as far back as 2009. To pull off her scheme, McCabe would apparently issue checks made payable to herself from the individual accounts and then cash them at various locations, including at banks and convenience stores.

Sterling Heights police say McCabe is alleged to have written about 250 checks to herself.

An investigation into McCabe began after multiple clients complained to the company about unpaid bills.

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