Former Tribune employee sentenced for embezzling

A former Grand Haven Tribune employee has been sentenced for embezzling more than $25,000, but less than $50,000, while working in the business office of the local newspaper. Deborah Ann Easterly, 60, 1700 Robbins Road, Lot 15, Grand Haven, was sentenced to 24 months probation on Monday by Ottawa County Circuit Judge Jon Hulsing. She was also ordered to serve 200 hours of community service, pay $9,669 in restitution, and $880 in fines and costs.

Becky Vargo

Grand Haven

Apr 12, 2011

She had faced up to 10 years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine for the charge, but agreed to plead guilty and pay back $25,000 in restitution in exchange for no jail time during her Feb. 28 arraignment.

The embezzlement occurred from January through September of 2010.

Easterly had been an employee at the Tribune for just over 30 years when she was fired in late September 2010.