FeedsPair charged with embezzling funds from charity
Two former Wayne-Ford Civic League officers are headed to court this morning on charges of embezzling more than $40,000 in bingo proceeds.
Last Thursday, 41-year-old Neal William Greenfield of Westland and his ex-wife, 39-year-old Shari Kay Greenfield of Livonia, were arraigned on charges of embezzlement of $20,000 or more in front of Judge C. Charles Bokos of the 18th District Court in Westland.
According to Westland Police Chief Daniel Pfannes, an investigation into the allegations began about two years ago after members of the Wayne Ford Civic League—a non-profit organization in Westland— reported that money raised by the organization was missing. That initial report, he said, led to an in-depth investigation of the charges.
He added that members of the Westland Police Department, particularly Sgt. Chris Benson, have spent the past two years chasing a lengthy paper trail, executing search warrants to gain access to the necessary financial records, and scrutinizing account books, bank records, and checks written by the Wayne Ford Civic League.
He said that the “time and diligence” ultimately paid off. A written statement by Maria Miller, an assistant prosecuting attorney with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, said that the Greenfields were charged last week after the investigation “revealed that significant amounts of money were missing from the Wayne Ford Civic League over an approximately five-year period.”
After investigating, police found major discrepancies in Civic League funding from 1999 until 2004. Both Greenfields have been charged with allegedly embezzling proceeds from the weekly bingo games the civic league hosted until August 2004. The missing funds had been intended to finance social events, such as dances, lunches, and dinner events for the Wayne Ford Civic League seniors group.
According to Miller, Neal Greenfield was president of the organization during the time the cash turned up missing and his then-wife, Shari Greenfield, served as vice president of the league until their divorce in July 2003.
Although Miller would not reveal the exact amount of money allegedly taken, Westland police have charged the former league officials with the misappropriation of at least $40,000.
At the time of their arraignment last week, both Neal Greenfield and Shari Greenfield entered not guilty pleas. Bokos also ordered a $25,000 cash or surety bond for each defendant, which was posted shortly thereafter.
Both defendants are expected to return to Bokos’ courtroom this morning for preliminary hearings. The result of those hearings, will determine whether they will face trial.
According to police, Neal Greenfield was arrested two years ago for the larceny of some of the bingo money, but the charge was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
