Phillip Lee Sprague, 62, of Farwell, appeared in court on Tuesday to be arraigned on state charges accusing him of embezzling more than $400,000 from an 82-year-old man who suffered a traumatic brain injury. Prosecutors allege the money was taken while Sprague served in a position of trust with the victim. The case, announced by the Michigan attorney general's office, is now moving through Clare County's court system.
Allegations and charges
State prosecutors have charged Sprague with one count of embezzlement of $100,000 or more by an agent, which carries a potential 20-year felony sentence, and two counts of embezzlement of $50,000 or more but less than $100,000, each a 15-year felony, according to CBS Detroit. Investigators say more than $300,000 of the alleged theft stems from changes to the victim's will and trust that redirected assets to Sprague instead of the man's children and grandchildren. Sprague was arraigned Tuesday, and prosecutors say his probable-cause conference has not yet been scheduled.
Attorney General's response
"While the majority of caregivers support adults in their care, my office will not tolerate those who steal from the very people they are meant to protect," Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement, as reported by CBS Detroit. Nessel's comment highlights her office's stated priority of targeting financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. The statement arrives as the case moves toward preliminary hearings in Clare County.
What the law says
Under Michigan law, embezzlement by an agent is a felony, with penalties that rise based on the amount taken. Embezzlement of $100,000 or more is punishable by up to 20 years in prison under MCL 750.174. The statute also allows for enhanced penalties when the victim is a vulnerable adult. A conviction can bring restitution orders and other fallout tied to violating fiduciary duties.
Local context
The Attorney General's office has recently stepped up enforcement around elder financial exploitation. In January, the office announced a separate embezzlement case that ended in a guilty plea, underscoring the state's focus on these crimes, according to a Michigan Attorney General press release. Farwell is a small Clare County village of fewer than 1,000 residents, so the allegations are likely to hit close to home and serve as a reminder for families to review powers of attorney and trust documents. Local officials had not provided comment at the time of publication.
Sprague's legal team and local prosecutors did not offer additional comment beyond the arraignment notice. His probable-cause hearing has not been set, and prosecutors say more details will be released at upcoming pretrial proceedings. If convicted, Sprague could face prison time and an order to repay the victim's losses under state law.
