MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – A Marquette woman has been arrested following a lengthy investigation into an embezzlement complaint at Marquette Senior High School.
An arrest warrant was issued for 44-year-old Stacey Leigh Kangas on Friday, January 19. The warrant authorized her arrest was for embezzlement $100,00 or more.
In a statement from the Marquette Area Public Schools, Kangas was previously employed in the athletics department.
The charge is a felony, and is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, $50,000 in fines, or three times the amount embezzled.
Kangas was arrested on the warrant, and posted the required $2,500 bond. She will be back in court for arraignment on February 26 at 8:15.
In response to the incident, the MAPS administrative team has begun a process of establishing more effective internal controls, such as “utilizing better practices for handling cash to address the method that the suspect had allegedly embezzled district funds.”
WZMQ will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
The full statement from MAPS can be read below:
On 12/19/2023, our Marquette Area Public Schools (MAPS) central office administrative team notified the Marquette Police Department (MPD) of a possible embezzlement incident at Marquette Senior High School (MSHS). The police promptly initiated an investigation, which just recently resulted in the arrest of the suspect, who was previously employed by MAPS in the MSHS athletics department. Immediately upon learning of the incident, our administrative team took swift actions to assure no further damage could occur. From the beginning and throughout the investigation, MAPS provided our full support to law enforcement. In addition to holding the responsible person accountable for their misconduct, our administrative team has also begun the process of establishing more effective internal controls. Utilizing better practices for handling cash is part of our ongoing efforts to address the method by which the suspect had allegedly embezzled district funds. This behavior is entirely unacceptable and will not be tolerated at Marquette Area Public Schools. As stated previously, we appreciate the trust our community places in us and would like to publicly express our gratitude to the Marquette Police Department and Marquette County Prosecutor’s Office for their thorough investigation. It is because of an amazing partnership with these and other local leaders that we expect justice will be served for the person responsible. To protect the fidelity of the judicial process underway no additional information is available at this time.
