Charge of using computer to commit a crime was dropped in plea deal
A former Neogen employee pleaded guilty on February 26 to embezzling more than $100,000 from the company.
According to a spokesperson from the Ingham County, Michigan, prosecutor’s office, Tammy Ritter, 56, pleaded guilty to the charge of embezzlement over $100,000, but both sides agreed to drop a separate charge of using a computer to commit a crime.
The embezzlement charge is a felony that could bring a sentence of up to 20 years.
The case, investigated by the Lansing Police Department, involved alleged conduct that occurred between 2014 and 2018. Evidence was presented to the prosecutor’s office in October 2018 and Ritter was charged in November 2019.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 8.
Neogen has not returned a request for comment.
About the company
According to the company’s website, Neogen develops and markets products dedicated to food and animal safety. The company’s Food Safety Division markets dehydrated culture media and diagnostic test kits to detect foodborne bacteria, natural toxins, food allergens, drug residues, plant diseases and sanitation concerns. Neogen’s Animal Safety Division is a leader in worldwide biosecurity products, animal genomics testing and the manufacturing and distribution of a variety of animal health care products, including diagnostics, pharmaceuticals and veterinary instruments.
In its most recent financial report, the company reported revenues of $101.4 million, compared with the previous year’s first quarter revenues of $99.6 million.