Former commissioner allegedly violates bond by visiting casino

Published 9:47 am Tuesday, April 14, 2015

ST. JOSEPH — A former Berrien County Commissioner was arraigned this week for allegedly violating a condition of his bond by visiting an out-of-state casino.

Bob Wooley pleaded not guilty to the alleged bond violation Monday in Berrien County Trial Court, according to county Prosecutor Mike Sepic.

Wooley is scheduled to be sentenced Monday on two felony embezzlement counts — embezzlement of over $100,000 and attempted embezzlement of between $20,000 and $50,000.

An investigation by the Michigan State Police found that Wooley had taken more than $150,000 from the North Berrien Senior Center from 2007 to 2014. He was the center’s director at the time.

Wooley served as a Berrien County Commissioner representing District 1 for 16 years before resigning in March.

Sepic said Wooley’s most recent arrest concerns allegations that he violated conditions of his bond by visiting Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, Indiana.

A $5,000 cash or surety bond was set on Wooley’s alleged bond violation, Sepic said. A hearing on the violation has been set for Monday.

Sepic said the bond violation would probably have little effect on the amount of time Wooley spends behind bars.

“If he pleads guilty (to the bond violation), the judge may consider those facts to evaluate what his sentencing on the original charges should be,” Sepic said. “But whatever time he gets on the bond violation will probably pretty much get eaten up by whatever sentence he gets on the main charges.”

The maximum sentence for embezzlement over $100,000 is 20 years in prison.