Grosse Pointe Woods man accused of embezzling over $350,000 from wine store he worked at

(WWJ) — A Grosse Pointe Woods man could spend 20 years behind bars for allegedly embezzling more than $350,000 from the wholesale wine store he worked for.

Ishpinder Sahni, 31, was arraigned Thursday on three counts each of embezzlement over $100,000, using a computer to commit a crime and failure to file taxes, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced.

Sahni worked as the chief operating officer at Woods Wholesale Wine — on Mack Avenue near Vernier in Grosse Pointe Woods — from 2021-23, according to the AG’s office.

During that time, Sahni allegedly diverted over $350,000 in online sales into his own bank account.

He also allegedly failed to report that income on his Michigan tax returns.

“Embezzlement is a serious crime that can devastate small businesses and have a ripple effect throughout their communities,” Nessel said in a press release. “My office will continue to hold employees who steal from their employers accountable to protect business owners and their customers.”

The charges of embezzlement and using a computer to commit a crime are felonies that carry a punishment of up to 20 years in prison, while failure to file taxes is a five-year felony.

Sahni’s next court appearance has been scheduled for Nov. 13.