GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey announced that Teri Lyn Looney, age 53, of Dimondale, Michigan was indicted by a grand jury on a criminal charge alleging that she embezzled approximately $95,000 from SIREN Eaton Shelter, a program receiving federal funds.

SIREN Eaton Shelter is a Michigan nonprofit dedicated to helping survivors of domestic abuse, their children, and homeless families in Eaton County and surrounding areas.  It receives funding from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Victims of Crimes Act program, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and other sources. The indictment alleges that Looney embezzled approximately $95,000 while serving as SIREN’s Executive Director between June 2021 and May 2023. As Executive Director, Looney was responsible for all organizational programming, supervision of agency staff, the implementation of policies developed in conjunction with the Board, and the oversight of SIREN’s fiscal operations, including its budget and cash reserves.

If convicted, Looney faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and will owe restitution to the victim.

The case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General, and the Michigan Department of Attorney General Criminal Investigations Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay Stiffler is the prosecutor.

The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.