PAW PAW, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – The criminal case against a former official of a Lakeshore community is nearly closed.
Sentencing in Van Buren County Circuit Court is slated on September 21st for Wendy Hochstedler and Daniel Beck. Hochstedler, while serving as South Haven’s Finance Director, was accused, over a three-year-plus span, to have made more than $130,000 in fraudulent purchases with Beck, described by prosecutors as a “member of her household.” The variety of items ranged from jewelry, vehicle repairs and building materials to fast food and pet supplies.
Authorities were notified in November of 2018 when a “suspicious purchase” was spotted by city personnel, and city auditors found multiple accounts had been “improperly maintained” by Hochstedler and Beck. She was suspended and subsequently dismissed from her post.
It took investigators over a year to complete their probe and send their findings to the county prosecutor’s office, and a plea agreement was reached with both of the accused about a month ago on embezzlement and illegal possession of a financial transaction device charges.
