Shopko, Wendy’s managers charged with embezzlement

Two businesses in Tecumseh have had managers charged with embezzlement. William Stanton, 61, of Adrian, a former general manager of Wendy’s, was charged with taking $5,621 from the restaurant, and Justin Bailey, 26, of Adrian, former assistant store manager of Shopko, was arrested for taking $4,800.On June 27, Tecumseh Police were called to Wendy’s by District Manager Monique Morehouse. She told the officer Stanton made a deposit for the store on his day off, which Morehouse found to be suspicious.She followed up with Huntington Bank, and was told by the bank that deposits made according to store records were not deposited at the bank. There were four missing deposits totaling $5,621. On June 24, Wendy’s records showed two deposits of $1,305 and $1,581, and on June 25 two deposits were listed for $1,562 and $1,249.65.Morehouse confronted Stanton, who told police he admitted taking the money and was only able to return $75.65. Stanton was suspended by Morehouse, and made a statement to police on June 30 about the embezzlement accusations.He told police in his statement he lost a deposit in October or November 2009. At the time Stanton didn’t report the loss to Wendy’s, but instead tried to win the amount back through gambling.For the past four and a half years Stanton has been floating deposits. He told police he has not gambled in two years, but has $50,000 in personal debt, not counting his mortgage and the money he owes to Wendy’s.The prosecutor’s office charged Stanton with one count of Embezzlement by Agent or Trustee of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, and ordered restitution. He was arraigned in district court on August 25, but no court date has been set.On August 7, Tecumseh Police were called to Shopko by Regional Loss Prevention Supervisor Brett Dunnick about the loss of money at the Tecumseh store attributed to Assistant Manager Bailey.Bailey told police he took money from the cash registers as well as changing amounts listed in bank deposits to the cash overage. Bailey provided a written confession as well as signing a note promising to pay back $4,800.The prosecutor charged Bailey with Embezzlement by Agent or Trustee for $1,000 or more but less than $20,000. He was arraigned in court on Sept-ember 7 with pre-examination set for September 15 at 1 p.m.