The Berrien County Prosecutor’s office has charged Berrien County Building and Grounds Superintendent Joel Johnson with embezzlement. Prosecutor Steve Pierangeli says the 59-year-old Johnson used Berrien County funds to purchase materials and tools for personal home construction and home improvement jobs. The embezzlement allegedly took place from around February through August of this year. The total cost of the items alleged to have been purchased ranged between $1,000 and $20,000. Johnson was arraigned on a charge of embezzlement by an agent in an amount between $1,000 and $20,000 in the Berrien County Trial Court on Friday and will have a preliminary examination next month. He’s facing up to five years in prison. As a condition of his bond, Johnson is prohibited from entering Berrien County government property unless it is court-related.
Berrien County Administrator Brian Dissette has released the following statement:
“We were extremely disappointed to learn of the allegations against Mr. Johnson. He has been placed on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of our internal investigation, which will include a forensic audit.
As County employees, we are accountable to our residents and businesses and must be good stewards of the tax dollars entrusted to us. We expect all members of our team to operate at the highest ethical levels at all times. We are cooperating fully with legal authorities and will seek full restitution of any funds that may have been misappropriated.”
