Former Director of Tuscola County Peer Center Sentenced for Embezzling from Center

LANSING – On Tuesday, Tanya Hobson, 45, of Kingston, was sentenced by Judge Jason Bitzer in the 71B Judicial District Court in Caro to 6 months in jail after pleading guilty in March to one count of Embezzlement-Agent or Trustee – $200 or more but less than $1,000, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Hobson was also ordered to pay $4,054.64 in restitution to the Tuscola County Peer Center. She paid $2,000 toward that amount at the time of sentencing. 

Hobson served as the director of the Tuscola County Peer Center from May to December 2023. The Peer Center, affiliated with the Tuscola Behavioral Health Systems, receives much of its funding from Medicaid and assists members receiving mental health services with self-advocacy skills, providing self-help and mutual support services. 

As director, Hobson was responsible for scheduling outings, collecting and monitoring the mail, obtaining grants, picking up supplies and paying bills.  During her time as director, Hobson embezzled over $1,000 of the Center’s funds for personal use.

“Embezzling Medicaid funds can have a direct impact on the people who rely on the program for essential health care,” said Nessel at the time the defendant pled. “My office will continue investigating allegations of fraud and holding those who steal these funds accountable.” 

The Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Division (HCFD) handled this case for the Department. The HCFD is the federally certified Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for Michigan, and it receives 75% of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $5,703,460 for the fiscal year 2025. The remaining 25% percent, totaling $1,901,152, is funded by the State of Michigan.