A former parking meter attendant accused of stealing $120,000 - in cents - has pleaded guilty to embezzlement and has promised to pay most of it back.
Vincent J. Howard agreed in court Tuesday to repay $70,000 within 30 days and $30,000 more over the two years that he will be on probation.
Macomb County Circuit Judge Richard Caretti also ordered the 50-year-old Howard to spend six months on an electronic tether.
Howard, who worked for the Detroit suburb of Mount Clemens for 23 years, was arrested last year after police raided his home and found thousands of dollars in coins. They also found $500 in Howard's car and $2,000 in a city-owned car he used on his rounds.
"He said he took $500 every two weeks for 10 years to pay bills," said county Assistant Prosecutor Steve Steinhardt. "But I think he used the money to more than supplement his income."
Howard now works as a $9-an-hour laborer for a fence company.
Add Reply