PTO treasurer charged with embezzling

GREENVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) - The treasurer of the Walnut Hills Elementary PTO in Greenville has been charged with two felony counts of embezzlement.

Laura Outen is facing charges with embezzlement of between $1,000 and $20,000 from a non-profit organization, as well as uttering and publishing.  

In 2007, she was arrested on a different charge of felony uttering and publishing and felony larceny in a building. Then in December 2011, she pleaded guilty to misdemeanor larceny of less than $200, and sentenced to one day in jail and six months probation.

While still on probation, Outen was elected PTO treasurer in May 2012. Members of the PTO board first noticed financial irregularities involving between $12,000 and $18,000. After the district's finance director looked into the discrepancies, he suggested PTO officials contact police.

Outen's attorney Jeff Kortes said in January that she "is working on a process to repay the PTO."

Her arraignment is scheduled for March 1 in Montcalm County District Court.