The Michigan Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of Jessica Englebrecht, a Scottville woman found guilty of embezzling over $20,000 from vulnerable adults. Englebrecht, who previously served as a guardian and conservator, was found guilty in September 2023 on multiple counts of embezzlement, commingling funds, and obstructing investigations. According to a press release from the Michigan Attorney General's Office, she was sentenced to serve between 35 months to 7 years in prison, and ordered to pay restitution amounting to $21,409.
Dana Nessel, the Michigan Attorney General, revealed her satisfaction with the court's decision. She believes the ruling underlines the state's commitment to safeguarding its vulnerable population. "Michigan’s vulnerable adults deserve to know that the law will protect them from financial exploitation by those entrusted with their care," Nessel said, per the Michigan Attorney General's Office. Englebrecht, appointed to protect, was convicted of stripping funds from 10 individuals between 2017 and 2019.
The details of the conviction include eight counts of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult, ranging from $1,000 to under $20,000, one count of caregiver commingling funds and obstructing investigations, one count of embezzlement of $200 to less than $1,000, and finally, one count of embezzlement of less than $200. Englebrecht's actions display a breach of trust and systematic financial abuse of those she was supposed to care for and protect.
