Farmington Hills — An Oakland County businesswoman, charged earlier this spring with conducting a criminal enterprise, appeared in a Farmington Hills district court on Wednesday for a probable cause exam, one of her first appearances in court since being arraigned.
Fay Beydoun, a former appointee of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, faces 16 offenses in connection with how she spent and documented expenses tied to a $20 million state grant meant to create a business accelerator called Global Link International. The charges include larceny by conversion, uttering and publishing, and conducting a criminal enterprise, the last of which potentially carries a 20-year prison sentence.
Beydoun didn’t speak during Wednesday’s hearing in 47th District Court in Farmington Hills. She now faces a probable cause conference at 9 a.m. July 17 before District Court Judge Marla Parker.
Charged by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, Beydoun is accused of using that $20 million grant for a range of purposes it wasn’t intended, including more than $3,000 for catering events at her home; listing a vacant address for a rental cost; and purchasing two handmade rugs from Tunisia.
A court affidavit also alleges progress reports Beydoun submitted to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation on the $20 million grant were “materially false” and meant to mislead the agency.
After she was charged, Beydoun declined to speak to The Detroit News.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Fay Beydoun appears in court after being charged with conducting criminal enterprise
Reporting by Max Bryan and Beth LeBlanc, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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