Local woman arrested on embezzlement charge

A Three Rivers woman was charged with embezzlement, as authorities suspect she stole up to $15,000 from a trust fund she was managing.
Three Rivers Police Chief Tom Bringman said Judy Smith-Lynes, 73, was arrested Monday following an investigation that started in January.
Smith-Lynes was a successor trustee for the estate of a long-time friend who passed away two years ago. As trustee, Smith-Lynes was to manage money and an assortment of properties owned by the trust.
A family member of the deceased noticed suspicious bank activity in January and inquired with Smith-Lynes about the transactions for which thousands of dollars were unaccounted.
Police were brought into the matter and an investigation shows Smith-Lynes allegedly used thousands of dollars for her personal benefit, according to Bringman. Meanwhile, Smith-Lynes also neglected to pay property taxes and insurance on multiple residences owned by the trust.
Smith-Lynes is free on bond and a court date of Aug. 23 has been set.