Less than three months after seeing a criminal case against him dismissed, Plainfield Township Supervisor Jay Spencer faces a new round of charges stemming from the same real estate deal that occurred before he was elected to office.
Spencer is charged with false pretenses, embezzlement and larceny by conversion. The amount involved ranges from $20,000 to $50,000.
If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison. The charges stem from a real estate deal that occurred a year before Spencer was elected township supervisor.
Two of the charges are new. The charge of larceny by conversion of more than $20,000 is the same charge filed in February for allegedly bilking a retired Vietnam War veteran out of $180,000.
A Kent County judge in May dismissed that charge, siding with Spencer's lawyer who said it involved a commercial debt gone bad -- not a criminal offense.
Kent County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Chris Becker said his office revisited the case and filed charges that more adequately reflect the alleged offenses.
Spencer will be back in Wyoming District Court for a probable cause hearing Aug. 10. He is free on bond.
A Kent County judge in June, 2015 awarded a $540,000 judgment to Jolan Jackson, a Grandville man who invested $241,000 for a real estate deal Spencer was overseeing. The money came from Jackson's pension; he retired from General Motors in 2008.
The money was supposed to be used to buy and fix up six properties, including five in Grand Rapids, court records show.
Instead, Spencer used the money to pay personal expenses, including babysitters, car repairs, veterinarian bills and meals at several Grand Rapids area restaurants, court records show.
Jackson, 65, sued Spencer in May, 2013 to recover what he lost from the 2011 investment. Six months after the lawsuit was filed, Spencer filed for bankruptcy.
The criminal complaint against Spencer says he used Jackson’s money for non-business related expenses.
Spencer earlier this year announced that he will not seek re-election as supervisor of Plainfield Township, located north of Grand Rapids.
