Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido announced that Laura Dietz, 44 of Macomb Township, pleaded no contest as charged in four felony cases involving fraud, financial crimes, and embezzlement. In exchange for her pleas, the Prosecutor’s Office agreed to dismiss one additional false pretenses case after the Dietz paid full restitution before charges were filed.
On July 7, at a Pretrial Hearing, Dietz pleaded no contest to the following charges before Judge Jennifer M. Faunce of the Macomb County Circuit Court.
The convictions include:
• Embezzlement from a Vulnerable Adult ($50,000–$100,000), a 15-year felony. While serving as guardian for her father, Dietz embezzled more than $93,000 from him. During that time, she failed to pay for her father's nursing home expenses and instead admitted to using the funds to repay victims from her fence company fraud cases.
• False Pretenses ($1,000–$20,000), a 5-year felony. In two separate cases involving her business, Dietz Fence LLC, the defendant accepted down payments totaling nearly $7,700 from victims in St. Clair Shores and Shelby Township for residential fence installations. After accepting payment, she failed to perform the contracted work and ceased communication with the victims.
• Non-Sufficient Funds Check, a 2-year felony. Dietz issued a check for $11,751.14 to Elite Fence Products that was returned for insufficient funds. Despite repeated attempts by the business to resolve the matter, payment was never made.
Dietz will be sentenced on Tuesday, August 4, at 8:30 a.m. before Faunce.
"Fraud is not a victimless crime. The defendant repeatedly exploited the trust of hardworking customers and even her own vulnerable father for personal financial gain.
Our office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who prey on others and work to ensure victims receive the justice they deserve," stated Lucido.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Danielle Strace, chief of the Senior Crimes and Consumer Protection Unit, represented the People throughout Dietz’s prosecution.
In addition to these convictions, Dietz is facing probation violations in at least two prior fraud-related cases involving her fence company. She had been serving probation under a delayed sentencing agreement, which has since been revoked due to outstanding restitution obligations and the filing of new felony charges.
Dietz also remains subject to extradition to Winnebago County, Wisconsin, where she faces a pending false pretenses charge.
On July 7, at a Pretrial Hearing, Dietz pleaded no contest to the following charges before Judge Jennifer M. Faunce of the Macomb County Circuit Court.
The convictions include:
• Embezzlement from a Vulnerable Adult ($50,000–$100,000), a 15-year felony. While serving as guardian for her father, Dietz embezzled more than $93,000 from him. During that time, she failed to pay for her father's nursing home expenses and instead admitted to using the funds to repay victims from her fence company fraud cases.
• False Pretenses ($1,000–$20,000), a 5-year felony. In two separate cases involving her business, Dietz Fence LLC, the defendant accepted down payments totaling nearly $7,700 from victims in St. Clair Shores and Shelby Township for residential fence installations. After accepting payment, she failed to perform the contracted work and ceased communication with the victims.
• Non-Sufficient Funds Check, a 2-year felony. Dietz issued a check for $11,751.14 to Elite Fence Products that was returned for insufficient funds. Despite repeated attempts by the business to resolve the matter, payment was never made.
Dietz will be sentenced on Tuesday, August 4, at 8:30 a.m. before Faunce.
"Fraud is not a victimless crime. The defendant repeatedly exploited the trust of hardworking customers and even her own vulnerable father for personal financial gain.
Our office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who prey on others and work to ensure victims receive the justice they deserve," stated Lucido.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Danielle Strace, chief of the Senior Crimes and Consumer Protection Unit, represented the People throughout Dietz’s prosecution.
In addition to these convictions, Dietz is facing probation violations in at least two prior fraud-related cases involving her fence company. She had been serving probation under a delayed sentencing agreement, which has since been revoked due to outstanding restitution obligations and the filing of new felony charges.
Dietz also remains subject to extradition to Winnebago County, Wisconsin, where she faces a pending false pretenses charge.
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