May 4, 2006

            Lansing, MI - Attorney General Mike Cox announced today the sentencing of 39-year-old Charles Andrus Byam, Jr. of Lansing, Michigan, a former employee of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), on 3 counts of Embezzlement in Excess of $20,000 for stealing $181,061.98 while employed by the MDEQ.   Byam appeared in front of 30^th Circuit Court Judge Joyce Draganchuk and was sentenced to 2-10 years in prison and was ordered to repay the $181,061.98 embezzled from the State.

            "Embezzling by a state employee is a crime against the taxpayers of this state," Cox said.  "I appreciate the hard work of the Department of Environmental Quality and their Office of Criminal Investigation in uncovering this deception."

            Byam, while working for the MDEQ-Water Division, created a scheme in which permit fees submitted to the MDEQ by local businesses were diverted into Byam's personal bank account.  

            "Mr. Byam's actions were certainly a disappointment to the entire MDEQ staff who dedicate themselves to serving the people of Michigan," said MDEQ Director Steven E. Chester.  "I am grateful to our investigative team who ensured Mr. Byam was held accountable."

Byam's embezzlement of State money continued for several months until an internal audit conducted by MDEQ uncovered multiple discrepancies which led them to the Defendant. The discrepancies were then turned over to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality-Office of Criminal Investigation (MDEQ-OCI) which conducted a thorough investigation that led to criminal charges.

For more information, contact Rusty Hills or Nate Bailey, Attorney General's Office, at (517) 373-8060.

-- 30 --