MARQUETTE, MI— A woman arrested for embezzling thousands of dollars from the Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce was sentenced to jail on Friday.
Samantha LaJeunesse, 35, was the former Executive Director of the GINCC. She’s accused of using a company debit card to send more than $30,000 to Caesar’s Casino and Draft Kings online. The Chamber was left with only $500.
LaJeunesse pleaded no contest to embezzlement-agent or trustee, $1,000 or more but less than $20,000. Charges of illegal use of a financial transaction device, using a computer to commit a crime, and embezzlement-agent or trustee, $20,000 or more but less than $50,000 were dismissed.
LaJeunesse was sentenced to 30 days in jail and two years of probation. She could serve her time at the Houghton County Jail if work release privileges are granted. She must also pay $26,650 to the Lake Superior Community Partnership, which received the GINCC’s assets when the organization dissolved.
