Grand Jury Returns Indictment Against Former Executive Director Of The Calhoun Conservation District

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — United States Attorney Andrew Birge announced today that Tracy Lynn Bronson, a resident of Marshall, Michigan, has been indicted by a grand jury and charged with five counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds.

          The indictment alleges that Bronson, who was the Executive Director of the Calhoun Conservation District, embezzled more than $5,000 each year between 2014 and 2017 from that organization. The indictment states that in calendar years 2014, 2016, and 2017, the Calhoun Conservation District received benefits in excess of $10,000 from a federal program from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and/or the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The indictment further alleges that, in each of those years, and during certain periods in 2015, Bronson issued a series of unauthorized checks to herself that were drawn on the Calhoun Conservation District’s credit union account. In total, Bronson allegedly withdrew, and attempted to withdraw, more than $500,000 between January 2014 and August 2017.

          If convicted, Bronson faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000 on each count.

          This matter was investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Inspector General; the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Inspector General; and the Michigan State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher O’Connor.

          The charges in an Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

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