ROCHESTER, Mich. – A Rochester woman has been charged after prosecutors said she embezzled from a charitable organization in Oakland County.
Officials said the woman was the president of that organization, which was created to help families living with autism.
The Autism Society of Oakland County was formed to provide programs and services to enhance the quality of life for people with autism and their families. But that's been a difficult goal to achieve after the nonprofit's president allegedly embezzled nearly $100,000 from the organization.
Barbara Brennan, of Rochester, faces three charges of embezzlement in the incident.
When Brennan accepted a big donation for the organization, she told people donations were going toward workshops to teach those with autism real-world skills.
The Local 4 Defenders made a visit to Brennan's house. Her husband answered the door and said she wasn't home. He said he wasn't aware of the charges until it happened.
Brennan appeared in court this week, but didn't say much. Her trial is scheduled for April 17.
Brennan faces up to 30 years in prison.
Meanwhile, the Autism Society of Oakland County issued a statement, saying, in part, "The Autism Society of Oakland County was devastated to discover that our former president had embezzled over $100,00 from us ... all of the stolen money was donated by the community and was intended to serve the needs of these individuals and their families ... our former president betrayed the trust we placed in her, and we have taken additional measures to prevent this from ever happening again."
The organization went on to say it encourages all charities to make sure they have the proper checks and balances in place to prevent what happened in this case.
Brennan was convicted for non-sufficient funds in 2003 and no account check in 1998.
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