Ferndale Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement, to be Sentenced in November

Ferndale resident Tracy Connelly, 37, is awaiting sentencing early next month after pleading guilty in Oakland County Circuit Court to a felony charge of embezzling less than $20,000 from .

Connelly, who worked as the office manager of the company, located at 22041 Woodward Ave., pleaded guilty on Oct. 3.

"I, over the course of approximately three years, took items that had been given to Metro Parent as samples for review and sold them for profit," Connelly stated in court documents. "I also purchased excess office supplies for personal use, took gift cards that did not belong to me and took personal computers home for personal use, one of which I traded for an iPod Touch."

Connelly stated in court documents that these items were approximately $7,000, while Metro Parent Publisher Alyssa Martina maintains that the amount exceeds $20,000.

Connelly's sentencing will be at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 7 in Oakland County Circuit Court. She could be sentenced to as long as five years in prison or as little as probation.

Connelly originally plead not guilty on July 28 in her arraignment at 43rd District Court in Ferndale. after Metro Parent Publishing owners contacted the Ferndale Police on July 16.

Correction: This version of the story reflects changes for clarification.