Two felony fraud charges against a Goodrich woman arrested on Jan. 24 by Genesee County Sheriff’s deputies for allegedly writing bad checks to pay sellers at her former consignment business have been dismissed by a 67th District Court Judge.
On Sept. 3 Bernadette Jacobs was bound over to the 7th Circuit Court on the two remaining felony counts of check fraud.
As of press time no trial date has been set or determination of which judge will hear the case.
In January, Jacobs, 34, was arrested in her driveway by Genesee County Sheriff’s deputies and later charged with four felony counts of check fraud. On Jan. 25, Jacobs was arraigned in 67th District Court in front of Judge Larry Stecco.
Each count has a sentence of two years in jail and/or $2,000. Bond was set at $10,000, a total of $2,500 for each of the four counts of fraud. Jacobs posted $1,000, a 10 percent surety and was released. She has no prior offenses. Sheriff’s deputies searched her home following the arrest and recovered property belonging to several victims.
In April 2012, Jacobs opened The B Hive, 7285 M-15, in Atlas Township. The 22,000-square-foot facility included consignment items, a weekly flea market and was home to her auction company, Legacy Estate Services. Jacobs closed the operation in December 2013.
According to the Genesee County Sheriff Department on Feb. 22 several of the alleged victims were allowed into The B Hive seeking some of their items.
Since her arrest several victims have come forward, according to Genesee County Undersheriff Chris Swanson.
As of Feb. 26 more than 35 have come forward reporting missing items.