A Berrien County Commissioner has been charged with embezzling more than $100,000 from an area senior center, according to the Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office.

Robert A. Wooley, 62, of Coloma, was arraigned Thursday morning on one count of embezzlement of over $100,000 — a felony punishable by up to 20 years.

The prosecutor’s office alleges that Wooley took the funds from the North Berrien Senior Center where he has served as director since 1996.

Wooley has also served as a member of the county’s Board of Commissioners for 16 years. He represents residents of the first district and was re-elected in November for another two-year term.

Berrien County Commissioner Jim Curran said it is a shame anytime something like this happens.

“We are placed in the public’s trust and then to have something like this happen is not good all the way around,” said Curran, who represents the 11th district.

Although County Administrator Bill Wolf declined to comment on the matter, a statement prepared by Commissioner Chairman Jon Hinkelman said the county is currently researching the next steps regarding Wooley’s situation.

“While the allegations that have surfaced regarding Bob’s actions as the director of the North Berrien Senior Center are being thoroughly vetted, the seriousness of these allegations is a concern for the county organization as a whole,” said Hinkelman said. “Though I am cognizant that Bob is innocent of these charges until proven otherwise, I want to assure the public that while Commissioner Wooley is currently a member of the county’s finance committee, in that capacity he has no direct access to county funds.

“Berrien County’s financial policies and the inherent checks and balances of our financial procedures, make the embezzlement of funds, as alleged in Bob’s case, virtually inconceivable at the county level.”

According to the prosecutor’s office, an investigation by the Michigan State Police revealed that funds from the North Berrien Senior Center operating accounts were forwarded to an investment account in the name of the Center with Wooley as an authorized signor. The Center’s board was unaware of the existence of the investment account. Records indicate funds were transmitted from the investment account to Wooley’s personal account over the course of the years 2007 to 2014. The total embezzled funds exceed $150,000.

The North Berrien Senior Center is located at 6648 Ryno Rd., Coloma, and serves the cities of Coloma and Watervliet, as well as the townships of Coloma, Watervliet, Bainbridge and Hagar. The center’s principal funding source is the Berrien County Senior Citizen millage.

Wooley’s bond was set at $25,000 cash or surety and a preliminary examination conference was scheduled for Dec. 12.