JEFFERSON – A former attorney in Ashe County was indicted today on 26 felony counts related to embezzling more than $3.3 million money from clients, as well as other felonies related to financial malfeasance.
Michelle Trivette Shepherd had her first court appearance today and was being held in the Ashe County jail under a $1.2 million bond, according to a news release from the Jefferson Police Dept. Shepherd was disbarred last month in connection with the pending charges.
The investigation began April 24 and was conducted by Detective David Witherspoon of the Jefferson Police Dept. and Special Agent Wade Colvard of the State Bureau of Investigation, along with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Ashe County Sheriff's Office.
Authorities said Shepherd defrauded more than 20 people. In some cases, she failed to provide them with money from the sale of property or didn't properly pay off prior mortgages, according to the news release. Those 26 felony counts involved more than $3.3 million.
Authorities said they also identified more than 238 victims who were clients that Shepherd charged for title insurance polices that she never purchased. That led to a felony charge involving more than $59,000.
Authorities said that Shepherd was also engaged in 'check kiting' by fraudulently inflating bank balances with money that didn't exist. That involved 10 additional felony charges.
The investigation is continuing and more charges are possible, authorities said.
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