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Sentence levied: Dulong sentenced on two counts of embezzlement

HOUGHTON — Susan Dulong of Lake Linden was sentenced on two felony counts in Houghton County Circuit Court on Friday. Dulong was found guilty of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult — $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, a five-year felony; and illegal use of a financial transaction device, a felony.

Judge Charles Goodman sentenced Dulong to the Michigan minimum guideline of seven months in jail on each count, to be served concurrently, with credit for 40 days she already served. In addition, Dulong was ordered to pay court costs and legal fees, and to pay restitution of $6,000 to her father, from whom she had embezzled. She was also given three years of probation.

Brittany Bulleit, assistant prosecuting attorney, was present at the sentencing, and recommended the court not permit Dulong to work in any position where she would have access to money.

“If she reaches the low where she steals from her father,” Bulliet said, “I don’t know what to do.”

Dulong served 30 days in jail in 2007 for embezzling more than $160,000 from the Michigan Education Association. She received a federal sentence of six months in prison in 2009 for violating the terms of her probation.

“Let me say this,” Goodman said before issuing the sentence. “You stealing is a choice. You took somebody else’s property.”

Goodman told her it is about time she starts making appropriate choices and use her ability earn money appropriately, rather than “using your intellect to attempt a deceit.”

Dulong addressed the court and said she and her parents were always close and that they frequently helped her out financially, whether she needed it or not. When her mother passed away four years ago, she said, she and her father became even closer.

“Now I’ve betrayed my dad’s trust, and I’m so very sorry for that,” Dulong told the court. “I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to my dad’s guardian…they’ve had to endure this the past year and a half.”

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