Detroit, MI - On Monday, January 22, 2024, Steven Allen, 42, of Detroit, was arraigned in the 36th District Court in Wayne County on four felonies for forgery, using a computer to commit a crime, and allegedly embezzling more than $60,000 from his employer, a sitting Circuit Court judge, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
Allen was employed as a judicial assistant serving a judge in the 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County from 2018 to 2022. During these years it is alleged he illegally obtained an ATM card associated with the judge’s accounts, wrongfully made withdrawals and purchases, and forged checks presented to the victim to conceal his thefts. The victim became aware of the missing funds when they were notified of delinquent taxes on a secondary property, despite Allen presenting them with checks made to look like they were sent to satisfy the tax.
He has been charged with one count of each:
- Embezzlement, $50,000-$100,000, a 15-year felony,
- Using a Computer to Commit a Crime, a 10-year felony,
- Forgery of Bank Bills/Promissory Notes, a 7-year felony, and
- Stealing or Retaining Without Consent a Financial Transaction Device, a 4-year felony.
“Everyone should exercise extreme caution in who you permit to access your financial accounts,” said Nessel. “Even judges are not immune to theft, embezzlement and fraud perpetrated against them by those they trust the most. Truly anyone can fall victim to financial exploitation crimes.”
Allen will next appear in the 36th District Court in Wayne County, before Judge Patricia Jefferson, for a probable cause conference on January 29th. A preliminary examination has been scheduled for February 5th.
Please note: For all criminal proceedings, a criminal charge is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.