A Burtchville Township woman who reportedly spent legally disputed inheritance funds has pleaded guilty to embezzlement in St. Clair County Circuit Court Monday.
Lisa Marie Tramski, 57, was originally charged with embezzlement and tax fraud in February this year. She became the guardian to Pauline Runyon in March 2018 when she allegedly had her sign a will leaving everything to Tramski, a week before Runyon’s death two months later.
The Michigan Attorney General’s Office opposed the will in a lawsuit, citing how soon the will changed before Runyon’s passing and how much it differed from previous drafts that asked her assets be donated to charity. The dispute went before the Michigan Court of Appeals, which sided with the state office four years ago.
In all, Tramski was alleged to have taken more than $86,000.
She pleaded to one charge of embezzlement of more than $50,000 but less than $100,000.
According to the attorney general’s office, she was ordered to pay $51,600.75 in restitution.
“The plea secured today marks a significant step toward justice,” Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a news release Tuesday. “My department will continue to pursue accountability for those who are unable to protect themselves and ensure perpetrators face consequences for their actions.”
According to the local circuit court docket, Tramski will be sentenced at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 16 before Judge Dan Damman.
Josh Rubin, Tramski’s listed attorney, said in a statement, "Lisa Tramski has taken full responsibility for her actions in this case and very much regrets that she could have done things differently in her attempt to carry out the wishes of her close friend. Ms. Tramski respects the court process and has made extraordinary efforts to make this situation right by paying full restitution in this case. Ms. Tramski, someone who has never been in trouble before, looks forward to proving herself worthy of redemption as she moves forward from this unfortunate set of circumstances."
Contact reporter Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Burtchville woman pleads guilty to embezzlement
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