GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The former Kent County Commissioner accused of stealing money from grieving families while working at a Grand Rapids cemetery was sentenced Tuesday to a year in jail.
Michael Wawee Jr. pleaded no contest to embezzlement in September. He worked at Holy Cross Cemetery, operated by the Grand Rapids Catholic Diocese, for more than 20 years.
Wawee worked as a sales associate at the cemetery and was responsible for selling grave sites and facilitating marker engraving, as well as funeral services.
He resigned from his commission seat following his arrest.
Wawee was also sentenced to three years of probation, and will have to pay an as-yet undetermined amount in restitution.
