By WILLIAM F. AST III - H-P Staff Writer
Published: Tuesday, October 26, 2010 1:08 PM EDT
GRAND RAPIDS - The sentencing date for convicted embezzler Todd Gardner has been postponed to Nov. 18 in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids.
Gardner, convicted by a jury in July, was originally due to be sentenced on Oct. 18. That was moved to Friday, Oct. 29, at Gardner's request, in order to have more time to review his pre-sentencing report, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Borgula.
The court then postponed the date to Nov. 18 "on its own," Borgula told The Herald-Palladium. Such postponements are not uncommon, he said.
Gardner in Judge Janet Neff's courtroom was found guilty of embezzling $271,696 from the village. Gardner faces up to 20 years in prison and will have to make restitution.
Borgula earlier said he expects Gardner to appeal his conviction.
Gardner was village manager from April 2006 to May 2009, when the council did not renew his contract. A federal jury in July found him guilty of using village funds to pay utility bills, make credit card payments, buy a vehicle, take vacations, buy groceries and to help pay his mortgage.
Gardner at the trial was represented by the federal public defender's office. He remains free on $25,000 bond.
The Stevensville Village Council has voted to sue Gardner in an attempt to recover funds.
wast@TheH-P.com