Shelly Brooks of Iron River is charged
IRON COUNTY -- The trial of a former Northstar Health Systems employee charged with embezzlement began Tuesday in Iron County Circuit Court.
Thirty-seven-year old Shelly Brooks of Iron River is charged with 18 counts of forgery and uttering and publishing as well as one count of embezzling between $20,000 and $50,000.
The trial started with jury selection in the morning and followed with opening statements and witnesses being called by the prosecution. Prosecutor Melissa Powell-Weston told the jury what she hopes to prove.
"You'll hear evidence that she received nearly $30,000 as a result of submitting these false invoices. You'll hear evidence that there were rumblings of financial issues in the Brooks' household. And at the end of this case, we'll ask you to draw the conclusion that Shelly Brooks went for the easy money," said Powell-Weston.
In March, Brooks was sentenced to five years probation in Oregon for similar charges and must repay close to $20,000 to an Oregon hospital.
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