Man faces charges for embezzling

ESCANABA - A 25-year-old Escanaba man has been charged with embezzling nearly $5,000 in forged checks while cleaning at a local funeral home, according to police and court records.

Benjamin Lee Maher, of 1315 2nd Ave. S., Escanaba, was arrested last month in connection with five checks he allegedly stole and forged from Crawford Funeral Home in Escanaba from Nov. 20 to 28.

Maher was working as a maintenance person for the funeral home when the alleged incidents occurred, according to Escanaba Public Safety.

Maher was bound over this week from Delta County District Court to circuit court on five counts of uttering and publishing and one count of embezzlement $1,000 to $20,000 in connection with the forged checks totaling $4,870.

Each forgery count has a maximum punishment of 14 years in prison. The embezzlement count carries a maximum sentencing of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine or three times the amount embezzled, whichever is greater.

Maher remains lodged in the county jail in lieu of a $10,000 cash bond.

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Jenny Lancour, (906) 786-2021, ext. 143, jlancour@dailypress.net

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Man faces charges for embezzling