Keisha Veryser, 36, turned herself in to the Charlevoix County Jail Tuesday morning
Keisha Veryser is charged with embezzlement and perjury
/ Charlevoix Co.Sheriff's Office
CHARLEVOIX -- A former elementary school principal is charged with stealing more than 100-thousand-dollars from her school community.
Keisha Veryser, 36, turned herself in to the Charlevoix County Jail Tuesday morning. Police say Veryser embezzled from St. Mary Catholic Elementary School where she was employed as principal.
The Michigan State Police was requested by the Charlevoix City Police to launch an investigation into missing money at the school last year.Veryser was charged with seven counts including embezzlement and perjury stemming from an 18 month investigation.
The court records show the money was taken from September 2006 through March 2010. Perjury charges stem from false statements police say were made by Veryser while she was under oath during civil proceedings related to the investigation.
Veryser started working as principal at St. Mary Catholic Elementary School in August, 2006. She resigned from her position in March, 2010.
If found guilty of the crimes, the five-count felony charge of embezzlement carries a possible sentence of 10 years in prison. The two-count felony perjury charge is a 15 year sentence.
Veryser was given a $50,000 personal recognizance bond. She will be back in court for a preliminary exam on Dec.15.
State Police Detective Saregant Jerry Briolat says she got away with it for far too long and now her former co- workers are left feeling betrayed. Briolat says, "people were afraid to question someone who they have looked at as their superior, their boss, doing it for the kids, doing it for the community, doing it in their faith...so they extended to her complete trust."
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