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Lester
LUDINGTON — Former Scottville City Clerk Kelse Rae Lester appeared in 79th District Court Monday on three felony charges, including allegations that she embezzled $100,000 or more from the city.
Lester, 39, was arraigned before 79th District Court Magistrate Glenn Jackson on charges of embezzlement of $100,000 or more, using a computer to commit a crime and misconduct in office. Jackson set a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.
“I can’t really say much about the case until we have the prelim and the facts are discussed in open court,” Mason County Prosecutor Beth Hand said. “The charges are pretty straightforward and allege she embezzled money from the city over a period of years and used her position as the clerk to conceal the fact she was stealing.”
The case was filed Thursday, Aug. 20. Court records list Feb. 1, 2022, as the offense date for each of the three charges.
The investigating officer is Michigan State Police Trooper Matthew Demny of the MSP Hart post.
Lester is scheduled to appear in 79th District Court at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, for a probable cause conference before Judge John David Middlebrook.
The embezzlement charge alleges Lester took $100,000 or more while serving as Scottville city clerk. The specific amount allegedly taken and the period during which the alleged embezzlement occurred have not yet been disclosed in open court.
Lester served as appointed clerk of Scottville from 2019 to 2025 when she resigned.
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