Wow, the stupid is strong in this story.

Retired state official charged with embezzling funds for Cesar Chavez statue

LANSING, MI -- An 80-year-old former state official has been charged with embezzling more than $73,500 in state funds earmarked to build a Cesar Chavez memorial statue in Lansing, according to the Michigan attorney general's office.

Maria Louisa Mason was executive director of the state's Hispanic/Latino Commission with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. She retired in December 2015.

She was arraigned Tuesday, April 18, in Ingham County District Court on felony embezzlement charges, said a press release from the attorney general's office

An investigation by the Michigan State Police found that Mason allegedly embezzled the funds between February 2013 until June 2015, the press release said.

"She arranged to have the funds transferred to a nonprofit and a local community center. Mason allegedly had control of the bank accounts for both organizations," the press release said.

"Neither used the money for the Chavez statute," the release said. "Instead, Mason transferred the funds to her personal accounts and personally took numerous cash withdrawals. The monument has not been built.

"Ms. Mason allegedly used her ill-gotten gains, to pay her numerous credit cards, including AMEX, Capital One, Chase, Discover, Macy's, and Bloomingdales. She also paid her University Club Fees, her State of Michigan and City of Lansing taxes, her auto insurance, DTE and cell phone bills, and for shoes, among other items," the release said.

The executive director is selected by the commissioners, who are appointed by the Governor with advice and consent from the Senate.

"I have said it before and will continue to, public officials are held to a higher standard," Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said in the press release. "Ms. Mason was allegedly using funds dedicated to a memorial statue to instead fund her personal expenses and now she is faceing the consequences."

Mason's bond was set at $10,000 personal recognizance bond. Mason's next court appearance is a pre-exam conference scheduled for April 27.

Sounds like a win-win. A corrupt gov't official being prosecuted and no Cesar Chavez statue.

^^^^agreed^^^

My first thought was no cesar statue

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
Sounds like a win-win. A corrupt gov't official being prosecuted and no Cesar Chavez statue.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
Sounds like a win-win. A corrupt gov't official being prosecuted and no Cesar Chavez statue.

quote:

Originally posted by ubelongoutside:
An 80-year-old former state official has been charged with embezzling more than $73,500 in state funds earmarked to build a Cesar Chavez memorial statue.

That's a lot of lettuce.

"Ms. Mason allegedly used her ill-gotten gains, to pay her numerous credit cards, including AMEX, Capital One, Chase, Discover, Macy's, and Bloomingdales. She also paid her University Club Fees, her State of Michigan and City of Lansing taxes, her auto insurance, DTE and cell phone bills, and for shoes, among other items," the release said."

At least she didn't waste it, like would have happened if it had been spent on a statue of Cesar Chavez.

She must have thought she was under Chicago rules.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
She must have thought she was under Chicago rules.

Michigan, CA, and NY aren't that much different from Chicago when it comes to gov't corruption.

It's OK, just as long as I can still get a Caesar salad every now and then.

pizzapizza

$73,500 to NOT have a Chavez statute seems like a bargain.

I just love having high taxes so that our elected and also unelected officials can take good care of us. I trust them so much.
I vote every election cycle to add to my taxes, whether it be additional school taxes or more taxes for senior citizens funding or whatever it may be. Heck, what else would I do with all the money I have?
Makes me sick!

I kinda agree...you know that it would have ended up costing more than $73k when it was done...so in a way this corruptocrat was trying to save taxpayers, money

quote:

Originally posted by Sig2340:
$73,500 to NOT have a Chavez statute seems like a bargain.

Diverting funds from intended purposes to where a government representative deems more necessary?

Seems more like an homage than embezzlement. Old Chavez would be proud.

quote:

" ... public officials are held to a higher standard," Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said ...

Mason's bond was set at $10,000 personal recognizance bond ...

I get it, she's 80 years old, and retired about a year and a half ago.

But higher standard? How about setting bail at $73,500?