Attorney General Press Release
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 30th 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.
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