Former Chain fireworks president pleads not guilty to theft charge
The co-founder of the Chain O' Lakes Fireworks Committee pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges she stole $8,700 from the group.
Noreen Michael, 47, former president of the not-for-profit organization, stood silently in front of Judge James Booras while her attorney, Jeff Altman, entered a not guilty plea on her behalf.
Michael is due back in court Oct. 8 for a case management conference. Her trial is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 27.
Michael, of Ingleside, remains free from Lake County jail after posting the required 10 percent of her $10,000 bail after her June arrest.
She was charged with using a fireworks fund debit card to take approximately $8,700 between February 2011 and December 2012 from the organization, authorities said.
A board member from the group went to police in April 2013 with a complaint that money had been illegally taken from the fireworks fund, authorities said. The money was spent on personal expenses, authorities said,
Michael could be sentenced to 2 to 5 years in prison if found guilty of theft at her trial. She could also be sentenced to probation.
Michael was applauded for stepping in to help form Chain O' Lakes Fireworks in 2009 after the organizers of previous fireworks shows stepped down. She has since left the group.