Muskegon woman sentenced for embezzlement.

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Muskegon woman sentenced for embezzlement.

#OceanaCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HART — A 45-year-old Muskegon woman was sentenced Monday, Aug. 10, in 27th Circuit Court to serve 45 days in jail for a felony conviction of embezzlement over $1,000.

Chris Mae Venne, of 85 Hickory Court, was also ordered by Judge Robert D. Springstead to pay $1,200 in restitution and serve two years probation.

Venne pleaded “no contest” June 15 to embezzling from the Taylor Bridge Store in Hesperia, said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon.

Venne told Springstead that she blames her Opiod addiction for committing the crime. Following an accident several years ago that left her “completely disabled,” she became addicted. She has enrolled in a drug treatment center.

“I take full responsibility for what I’ve done,” she said. “I feel horrible about it.”

Sentencing guidelines in the case are 0-6 months. She received credit for two days served in jail.

Venne appeared in court via Zoom videoconferencing due to COVID-19 restrictions. She must report to the Oceana County Jail by Monday, Aug. 17, so she can make arrangements for her husband who requires full-time medical care.

The judge noted that Venne still owes restitution in a case from decades ago. “You were a thief long before your accident,” he said. “It’s been 20 years, and you still haven’t paid restitution.”

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