Phillip Lee Sprague, 62, of Farwell, was arraigned on March 17 in front of Magistrate Steven R. Worpell, Jr. of the 80th District Court in Harrison on charges related to the alleged embezzlement of more than $400,000 from an 82-year-old victim who had suffered a traumatic brain injury, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
The case involves one count of Embezzlement by an Agent $100,000 or More—a felony carrying up to 20 years in prison—and two counts of Embezzlement by an Agent $50,000 or More but Less Than $100,000—each a felony with a maximum sentence of 15 years. Authorities allege that Sprague obtained over $300,000 through changes made by the victim to his Will and Trust that redirected assets away from the victim’s children and grandchildren and instead benefited Sprague.
Attorney General Nessel said, “While the majority of caregivers support adults in their care, my office will not tolerate those who steal from the very people they are meant to protect from such exploitation. We remain committed to seeking justice for vulnerable victims and their families.”
A Probable Cause Conference has not yet been scheduled. The Michigan Department of Attorney General advances social efforts through actions against human trafficking and support for vulnerable populations according to the official website. The department also focuses on serving Michigan residents through initiatives in public service and protection according to the official website.
Dana Nessel is Michigan’s 54th attorney general according to the official website. The department exercises authority throughout Michigan to safeguard residents according to the official website, and has influenced policy by drafting laws such as the Clean Slate law in 2019 for expungement opportunities according to the official website.
The department operates with statewide authority to protect residents across Michigan according to the official website. Officials remind that all criminal charges are allegations at this stage; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
