Man convicted in theft of GM machinery, metals

HOWELL (AP) -- A jury has convicted a Michigan man of embezzling more than $100,000 in machinery, tools and precious metals from General Motors. WHMI-FM and the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus of Howell reports the verdict was returned Wednesday in the case against Jeffrey Michael Eastom. Sentencing is Aug. 29. According to trial testimony, Eastom was the ringleader behind a group of then-employees from Ideal Setech in Howell who from 2008 to 2010 were stealing metals including copper and selling them to a recycling center. The company housed GM property. Defense attorney Edwin Literski said during the trial that two of Eastom's co-defendants didn't initially implicate Eastom, but changed their stories ahead of reaching plea agreements. Two co-defendants have been sentenced and two are awaiting sentencing next month. Published: Fri, Jul 26, 2013