A man who was part of the Butman Firefighters Association in Gladwin County has been arrested and charged with embezzling more than $50,000 from the organization, the Michigan State Police said on Friday, Jan. 16.
Elza Hayes, 38, a former associate president for the organization, was arraigned Friday in Gladwin County’s 80th District Court on charges of embezzlement greater than $50,000, but less than $100,000, the MSP Third District said in a post on X.
Hayes turned himself in after a warrant was filed by the Gladwin County Prosecutor’s Office, MSP said.
Troopers from the West Branch State Police post began investigating on Nov. 18, 2025, MSP said.
“The investigation revealed that from January 2021 to November of 2025, Hays was using the Butman Firefighter’s Association’s debit card for personal and family gains, totaling several thousand dollars,” MSP said. “After an investigation, and records reviews, the complaint was submitted to the Gladwin County Prosecutor’s Office for review.”
Hays was given a $30,000 cash or surety bond, MSP said. His next court appearance is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Jan. 29.
The Butman Township Fire Department is “a fully qualified non-profit organization with dedicated volunteers providing professional fire-rescue service available to the residents of Butman Township. We currently have a roster of 15 volunteers, including officers,” its website says.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Official with firefighters group arrested for embezzlement. What we know
Reporting by Dan Basso, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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