Cases advance against 2 accused of embezzling $500K

Cases have advanced for two accused of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from an 87-year-old man.

Shelley Letzer, 68, of West Bloomfield is charged with six counts of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult $100,000 or more, and one count each of fraudulently obtaining a signature and motor vehicle code-intent to pass false title. Kirk Lanam, 53, of Hartland is charged with five counts of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult $100,000 or more, and one count of fraudulently obtaining a signature.

The cases were advanced Tuesday from district court for possible trial in Oakland County Circuit Court.

The crimes reportedly occurred at the West Bloomfield group home run by Letzer, where the alleged victim lived. Letzer and Lanam are accused of obtaining legal Power of Attorney over J.