Anthony Apone, a 37-year-old member of the Shelby Township Planning Commission, is facing a felony charge after prosecutors say he wrote a business check that did not clear the bank. The payment, tied to a private business matter rather than any township work, was for roughly $96,600, according to public filings and court notices. The allegation has put the appointed local official under criminal scrutiny as the case moves forward in district court.
Prosecutors: Check Payable to F&M Excavation
According to The Detroit News, Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson Esther Wolfe said the check was drawn on First State Bank and made payable to F&M Excavation in the amount of $96,600.71. Wolfe told the outlet the payment arose from a business relationship and was not related to Apone’s role on the planning commission. The Detroit News also reported that Apone’s attorney, Jason Jelalian, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Apone’s Township Role and Where the Case Will Be Heard
Shelby Township’s online committee roster lists Anthony Apone as a member of the planning commission, according to Shelby Township. The township’s facility directory notes that the 41A District Court is located at 52420 Van Dyke Ave., which is where a probable-cause conference in the case is scheduled, according to the township’s court information page. Those municipal records confirm both Apone’s appointed seat and the district court location for the upcoming proceedings.
Court Timeline and Potential Penalty
Apone was arraigned on March 27 and released on a $100,000 personal bond, and a probable-cause conference is set in the 41A District Court, as reported by The Detroit News. The charge, writing a check with insufficient funds, is a felony that carries the potential penalty described in the court filings. Future filings and docket entries will indicate whether prosecutors seek restitution or pursue any additional charges.
The probable-cause hearing will determine whether the case is sent on to higher court proceedings. Court records and public dockets for the 41A District Court will document any new filings and scheduled hearings as the case develops.
