Multiple County Prosecutors Double-Cross Victims of Contractor Fraud

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Back in September 2023, the Ludington Torch revealed what appeared to be the widespread defrauding of West Michigan individuals by a contractor named Daniel Siefka, who with his wife, fronted about a dozen limited liability corporations (LLCs).  In that story, we transcribed an investigative report by the Manistee News Advocate, since then, justice has moved slowly.

Mason County Prosecutor Beth Hand, fresh off being appointed to her position and in the midst of campaigning for the elected position last year, took a hard line with Siefka as reported on June 12, 2024:  “This defendant has two charges here; a charge in Muskegon County; and a charge in Antrim County.  I’ve had frequent and lengthy conversations with the prosecuting attorneys from both counties. It is the People’s position that if the defendant comes to the plea dates with full restitution in Mason, Muskegon and Antrim counties, the counties are prepared to forgo initiation of a charge of conducting a criminal enterprise. The number one objective is to give the victims full restitution. If not, there will not be a reduction of charges or a sentencing agreement.”

In early September of 2024, it was reported that the felony criminal case would head to trial (tentative date:  March 17-21, 2025).  Hand would note that three civil monetary judgments had already been decided against Siefka and that if he had paid the full restitution to his victims, he could have avoided a prison term for a criminal enterprise charge as a joint prosecution venture between the counties.  Siefka would not enter a plea at the time, his attorney saying that Siefka was trying his best to satisfy all obligations but coming up short.

In the nine months since those announcements, Prosecutor Hand (along with the two other prosecutors involved) has not lived up to her rhetoric, failing to live up to the oral contract she made with the crime victims in open court, showing herself as a swindler and capable of committing the same type of fraud alleged against Siefka-- fraud that she will never prosecute.  

For here is what has happened over that time.  On February 25, 2025, two weeks after a final trial conference, Former Assistant Prosecutor David Marvin, on behalf of Hand, filed a "nolle prosequi" motion (will not prosecute) for the Mason County case that was readily accepted by the court, as you can see on this document received from the court:

At face value, this was a victory for victims hungry for justice who were allegedly criminally deceived by Siefka and his enterprises.  The original felony charge "Fraudulent use of a building contract fund" (MCL 570.152 ) was upgraded to a more serious charge of racketeering (MCL 750.159i).  The sanction for this charge is prison for up to 20 years, $100,000 fine, and plenty of other restitution, whereas the maximum for the original charge is 3 years and $5000.  

Four months later, however, nothing new has been filed or amended in the Muskegon circuit court.  The original case is still open and will have a final settlement conference on June 23rd, but the one charge of contractor fraud stands alone.  

The docket shows that there has been no hearings or conferences at all in that court since September 2024 (where a March 10-12, 2025 trial was scheduled and never held) and no mention of any appearance or support efforts by Mason or Antrim County prosecutors.  Muskegon Co. Prosecutor D.J. Hilson (pictured below) apparently hasn't gotten the memos.

These county prosecutors have all dropped the ball for those who were reportedly swindled by Daniel Siefka; one can even say they, especially Prosecutor Beth Hand, are engaged in their own fraudulent schemes with tough talk and tough action promised before elections and during their dismissal of the charges, followed up by no actions other than running away from their duties to the public.  What a racket!