Woman charged with embezzling from E.L. preschool

The former director of an East Lansing preschool has been charged with embezzling from the school.

Michele Lynn Mund, 36, of Laingsburg, was arraigned Monday in 54B District Court on multiple charges. She is the former director of the Eastminster Child Development Center.

Mund is charged with two counts of uttering and publishing, which generally refers to bouncing checks; one count of embezzlement of between $20,000 and $50,000; and one count of embezzling from a nonprofit.

The main embezzlement charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a $15,000 fine or both.

She is free on a $10,000 bond.

Eastminster board of directors chair Kim Kovalchick confirmed that Mund served as the center's director from March 2009 until her resignation on Aug. 5, 2014.

A letter sent to parents Monday said "some concerns" came to the board's attention regarding a few "specific Center expenses." Kovalchick declined to elaborate, citing the ongoing investigation. Eastminster officials contacted East Lansing police in August 2014, Detective Lt. Scott Wrigglesworth said in a news release.

"The Board took immediate action," the letter continues, "by securing our financial accounts and communicating with our bank, financial auditors, and insurance company.

"Following the recommendations made by these professionals, the Board agreed to share documents with the auditors, insurance company and the East Lansing Police Department regarding the possible misuse of funds by a previous employee of the Center."

Kovalchick said a third-party audit spanning the previous year uncovered the issues, and that no irregularities were found in prior years' audits.

"The full extent of the issues were not discovered until after her resignation," Kovalchick said.

Wrigglesworth said the embezzlement took place over a period "in excess" of two years.

A preliminary hearing, which determines if there is enough evidence for a trial, is set for March 19 before Judge Richard Ball.

Nicholas Leydorf, Mund's attorney, declined comment when reached by phone.