MANISTIQUE - A Manistique man - arrested earlier this summer for allegedly embezzling funds from the Manistique Moose Lodge - was recently bound over to Schoolcraft County Circuit Court. He may make a plea or go to trial.
Ray Eugene Hayford, 56, waived his right to a preliminary examination in district court and was automatically bound over to the higher court on Monday.
He was arrested in July following a joint investigation between the Michigan State Police Manistique Detachment and the Schoolcraft County Sheriff's Department.
During his arraignment on July 18, Hayford was charged with the following five felonies: four counts of forgery, each carrying a maximum penalty of up to 14 years in prison; and one count of embezzlement, more than $1,000 but less than $20,000, which carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
Following his arrest, Hayford was lodged in the Schoolcraft County Jail but has since been released after posting bond.