A mother and son duo has been charged with embezzling more than $100,000 from a Dexter-area excavating company.

64-year-old Colleen Walters and her 31-year-old son Leon, both from the Chelsea-area, are each charged with a single count of embezzlement over $100,000. State Police say a lengthy investigation determined the pair stole approximately $136,000 from Excavators Inc. in Lima Township. Colleen Walters worked as a secretary at the company while Leon Walters worked as a laborer. They are accused of misusing company credit cards dating back to 2014.

State Police were contacted when company officials came across accounting discrepancies. That started an investigation in July of 2016 that continued through until this past August, when arrest warrants were issued. Both suspects were arraigned November 1st and are free on bond, pending future court dates. If convicted, they face up to 20 years in prison and/or a fine up to $50,000, or three times the value of the money or property embezzled, whichever is greater. (JK)