A former Goodrich resident and business owner pleaded guilty in 7th Circut Court on Tuesday before Judge Joseph Farah on two counts of felony check fraud.
On Jan. 24, 2014, Bernadette Jacobs was arrested in her driveway by Genesee County Sheriff’s deputies and later charged with four felony counts of check fraud. The next day, Jacobs was arraigned in 67th District Court in front of Judge Larry Stecco. Bond was set at $10,000, a total of $2,500 for each of the four counts of fraud. Jacobs posted $1,000, a 10 percent surety and was released. She has no prior offenses.
The charges stem from bad checks Jacobs wrote to pay sellers as owner of The B Hive, 7285 M-15, in Atlas Township which she opened in 2012. The 22,000-square-foot facility included consignment items, a weekly flea market and was home to her auction company, Legacy Estate Services. Jacobs closed the operation in December 2013.
Sheriff’s deputies searched her home following the arrest and recovered property belonging to several victims. According to the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department on Feb. 22 several of the alleged victims were allowed into The B Hive seeking some of their items.
In September two of the felony counts were dismissed. The two remaining charges were sent to 7th Circuit Court. Each count had carried a two years in jail term and/or $2,000 in fines, however, as part of the plea agreement there will be no jail time.
In addition, Jacobs will not be charged in any uncharged complaints. However, the restitution will be determined and all uncharged complaints in the case shall be included at a hearing set for 3 p.m., March 24.
On Feb. 26, Chris Swanson, Genesee County Undersheriff reported as many as 35 victims with more than $71,000 in losses reported to his office.
The bond for Jacobs was not lifted.