A Michigan man faces 40 years in prison for allegedly lying to landowners about how much timber he took from their properties to avoid paying them more money.

Norman Kasubowski, 53, of Petoskey, was arrested and arraigned last week. Kasubowski owns two timber harvesting companies, Great Lakes Forest Products and Northern Timber Producers Inc.

Kasubowski is charged with eight counts of embezzlement of more than $1,000 but less than $20,000. Each charge is punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine or three times the amount embezzled, whichever is greater.

The Michigan Attorney General's office reports Kasubowski is scheduled to appear in court for a pretrial conference on Feb. 27 and a preliminary exam on March 5.

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