11/5/12 - A Howell attorney charged with embezzling from her clients has entered a plea in the case. 45-year-old Christina Heikkinen pleaded no contest in Livingston County Circuit Court today to a single count of embezzling between $1,000 and $20,000. A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt but is treated as such for sentencing purposes. In exchange for her plea, prosecutors agreed to dismiss a second count of the same and will recommend that Heikkinen not serve any additional time behind bars when she is sentenced in December. Heikkinen was accused of embezzling $18,000 from a 40-year-old West Branch man in May of 2009 as well as $3,000 from a female client in December of 2006. She was previously ordered to undergo a mental evaluation to determine competency and issues of criminal responsibility. In addition to the local cases, Heikkinen has been charged in two other counties on un-related matters. Sheâs charged with possession of narcotics in Wayne County but also faces a charge of 3rd degree retail fraud in Oakland County after allegedly leaving a Walmart store without paying for merchandise. (JM)
↧