05/28/2026
Remember this the next time they ask for mileage or they want wast your money on changing the school name. They have the money & they do a real good job at wasting your tax dollars.
https://www.facebook.com/share/18UrjcuTfi/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Former maintenance chief charged with embezzlement
Duane Paehlig allegedly stole from Sandusky schools
By Eric Levine
810-452-2689
[email protected]
The former maintenance chief at Sandusky Community Schools has been charged with embezzlement, forgery and malicious destruction of property.
Duane Lee Paehlig, who quit his position as head of the maintenance department Oct. 3, 2025, with no prior notice, was arraigned May 28 in 73A District Court.
Paehlig appeared at the hearing remotely from the Sanilac County Jail, where he was incarcerated the same morning.
The 60-year-old Sandusky resident is charged with three felonies: embezzlement -agent or trustee-$20,000 or more but less than $50,000; malicious destruction of a building $1,000-$20,000; and forgery.
Magistrate Lesley Clark set bond at $100,000 cash or surety, and ordered Paehlig to have no contact with staff at Sandusky Community Schools.
Paehlig’s next court dates are June 9 for a probable cause conference and June 16 for a preliminary examination.
The case is being handled by the Huron County Prosecutor’s Office, which was assigned as special prosecutor.
Sanilac County Prosecutor Mark Davidson had requested the appointment of a special prosecutor.
Davidson’s request was due to an apparent conflict of interest.
He is a former president of the Sandusky Board of Education and his assistant prosecutor, Carolyn Stoutenburg, is the current president of the Sandusky board.
Paehlig was represented at the arraignment by public defender Robert Heyboer.
Paehlig quit his job at Sandusky schools Oct. 6, 2025, just weeks prior to law enforcement searches of his residence.
In his letter of resignation, Paehlig stated: “Unfortunately, due to the current work environment, I am unable to continue in this role.”
The criminal investigation was announced last fall in a joint press release by the Sandusky Police Department and Sandusky Community Schools.
“The investigation started when school staff noticed discrepancies with some receipts/invoices,” stated the press release. “The school’s investigation quickly turned into a criminal investigation, and the Sandusky Police Department was notified.”
The investigation prompted two searches at the same residence on Golf View Drive in Sandusky conducted by Sandusky police assisted by Michigan State Police.
The searches took place Oct. 23 and Oct. 29.
“Both searches led to the recovery of property belonging to Sandusky Community Schools,” stated the press release.
