Seven year prison sentence

An employee who almost ruined a small grocery chain in southwestern Michigan has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison for embezzlement. Christopher Pratt admits he stole more than $6 million from Village Market Food Centers, based in South Haven, while handling the financial books. He was sentenced Monday in Kalamazoo federal court. The 42-year-old Portage man had a gambling problem and a love of vintage cars. He lost more than $250,000 while gambling in 2011 and bought or leased more than 50 cars. The government says Pratt’s crime nearly destroyed Village Market. The chain survived, but workers were cut along with pay and benefits.  (AP)