ESCANABA, MI-- Three suspects connected to an Escanaba Social Security disability fraud case were arraigned Wednesday.
Nicole Gillis, 37, of Norway, Cynthia Ogren, 56, of Escanaba, and Sharon Philemon, 59, of Wilson pleaded not guilty. Gillis and Ogren are charged with false pretenses—$1,000 or more but less than $20,000. Philemon is charged with embezzlement from a vulnerable adult—$1,000 or more but less than $20,000.
A probable cause conference is set for November 10 for all three.
Douglas Buskirk, 38, of Escanaba and a 36-year-old downstate Williamston man are charged with false pretenses. Buskirk waived his arraignment and is scheduled for a probable cause conference on December 1. The Williamston man has already been arraigned.
Police say combined, the cases are the equivalent of more than $187,000 in fraud loss.
