Great Lakes Wire

Shelley Letzer, a 67-year-old resident of West Bloomfield, has been arraigned on four felony charges for allegedly exploiting a vulnerable adult financially. The arraignment took place before Magistrate Marie Soma in the 52-3 District Court in Rochester Hills. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the charges against Letzer, who is accused alongside her co-defendant Kirk Lanam, 52, from Hartland.

The allegations suggest that both Lanam and Letzer obtained legal power of attorney from an 87-year-old victim in March 2024. They reportedly knew the man was a vulnerable or incapacitated adult with a court-appointed guardian. It is claimed that Lanam embezzled significant funds from the victim and that Letzer also embezzled thousands of dollars by writing checks to herself from the victim's funds.

"Abusing the authority granted by a power of attorney to exploit vulnerable adults is an egregious violation of trust," said Nessel. "My Department will continue to investigate and prosecute those who would embezzle funds from people entrusted with their care."

Letzer faces three counts of Embezzlement from a Vulnerable Adult $1,000 or More but Less Than $20,000, which carries a potential five-year sentence for each count. She also faces one count of Fraudulently Obtaining a Signature, which could result in a ten-year sentence.

Letzer's next court appearance is scheduled for February 10, 2025.