Former treasurer faces embezzlement trial
Hubbs accused of embezzling $4,656.98
Charged with embezzlement and misconduct in office, former Hazel Park treasurer Jo Ann Hubbs is set to be arraigned for trial in Oakland County Circuit Court on Monday.
The criminal case against her was transferred from Hazel Park to Ferndale court following an FBI corruption investigation.
Hubbs, formerly Hubbs-Reeves when she worked for Hazel Park, was fired from her job with the city in July 2018.
She lost her job after officials said Hubbs, 49, used two checks residents paid for property taxes to pay for her own personal expenses.
Authorities said the two checks Hubbs is accused of embezzling totaled $4,656.98.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the charges against the former city treasurer on Oct. 26.
Hubbs was then arraigned before Ferndale 43rd District Judge Joseph Longo and released on $10,000 personal bond.
Under the terms of her bond she had to surrender her passport, and is prohibited from having any contact with any potential witnesses in the case.
Hubbs and her attorney, Kimberly Stout, were back in Ferndale court earlier this week for a probable cause conference before Longo.
A preliminary examination hearing on the evidence against Hubbs was scheduled for Thursday.
However, Hubbs waived her right to that hearing, according to court records, and was ordered to stand trial on the charges in circuit court.
“We feel the issues are better presented in circuit court than in district court,” Stout said Thursday. “There are some legal issues that need to be decided in circuit court that will impact the case.”
Hubbs is set to be arraigned for trial before Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Matthews at 1:30 p.m. Monday.
The charges against the former Hazel Park treasurer are embezzlement by a public official, a 10-year felony; embezzlement by an employee or agent, a five-year felony; and misconduct in office, a five-year felony.