DETROIT – The cousin of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, Nneka Kafi Cheeks, will stand trial on charges she embezzled thousands in charitable funds from the Manoogian Mansion Restoration Society for personal use.
The decision was made Friday at a hearing in Detroit's 36th District Court. She is scheduled to be arraigned on Sept. 2.
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Cheeks, 40, is suspected of exploiting her access to the society?s bank account in order to withdraw over $4,000 in cash and make about $15,000 in questionable payments to third parties.
The charity was established in 1994 to assist the city of Detroit in restoring, furnishing and preserving the Manoogian Mansion.
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said Cheeks is accused of stealing the money between 2007 and 2009.
The charity was established in 1994 to assist the city of Detroit in restoring, furnishing and preserving the Manoogian Mansion.
Schuette said Cheeks is accused of stealing the money between 2007 and 2009.
In a release, Schuette listed the following questionable expenses he said were transacted by Cheeks:
- $1,140 to Brides Made Fit for in-home personal fitness training
- $450 to Dr. Mok?s Allure Medical Spa for mesotherapy, a cosmetic injection treatment performed on Cheeks
- $3,590 in payments to The Roostertail restaurant put toward the cost of Cheeks? wedding reception for more than 200 guests
- $2,619.08 to Jewelry Factory in Livonia for diamond jewelry, including a 1.25 carat loose diamond and Cheeks? husband?s wedding band
- $3,943.40 to Pioneer Credit Recovery to pay off a relative?s debt
- $3,091.95 to Art Van Furniture for living room and dining room furniture delivered to Cheeks? home
- $1,300 to Michigan Veterinary Specialists for the care of Cheeks? dog, Trouble
- $4,025 in cash withdrawals
Cheeks is charged with one count of conducting criminal Enterprises (racketeering), seven counts of embezzlement from a charitable organization --$1,000 - $20,000, and one count of embezzlement from a charitable organization -- $200 - $1,000.
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