CADILLAC — People at Club Cadillac, an organization that helps people battling mental illness in Wexford and Missaukee counties, speaking out after former member Sandra Gail Bottoms was sentenced this week for embezzling tens of thousands of dollars, in less than a year, from the non-profit.
Bottoms was sentenced to 100 days in jail, with two already served, and 3 years probation for stealing more than $42,000 between March and October of 2024.
The Saginaw woman was ordered to pay more than $850 dollars in fines and court costs, and pay back all the money she’s accused of stealing..
Bottoms pleaded no contest last month to one count of embezzlement. Pleading no contest means she accepts the punishment but does not admit guilt.
Darcy Smith said she’s been going to Club Cadillac for decades. She said Bottoms was her best friend at the club. She said she was full of emotions when she heard the news.
“Devastating. Angry. I honestly wanted to punch some walls out. I just couldn’t believe it. Felt like my heart was stopping,” Smith said.
Smith said she hasn’t talked to her since the allegations came out, not wanting anything more to do with her, but made sure she was at the sentencing.
“I never had a family growing up. They’re my family and I wanted her to know that she didn’t just hurt me. It’s not about me. It’s about getting justice for my family,” she said.
Club Cadillac Board President, Kristen Kenney said they were alerted to red flags after Bottoms, who was serving as treasurer for the club, started aggressively asking for money from former board members.
She said after more investigation, they realized all their funds had been depleted including a $25,000 grant they had just received from the state for a housing initiative for club members.
“We had been working on it for a year, and that was our seed money. And now it’s gone. And we’re talking about a time in our community when housing is crucial. We’ve had to put that on hold,” said Kenny.
Kenny said the prosecutor had prepared them for the possibility that Bottoms would get a slap on the wrist from the start but board and club members made sure they were heard at her sentencing.
“We came strong, we came prepared. And those impact statements made the difference. We were thrilled with jail time, absolutely ecstatic,” said Kenny.
Marleen Cassidy was one of those who spoke up, a member for over two years and current board member. Cassidy said Bottoms was one of the first people she met and that Bottoms acted like she was a huge advocate for mental health and Club Cadillac.
Cassidy said she still has a hard time wrapping her mind around it.
“She came to Club Cadillac every day and looked us all in the face and showed no remorse, no guilt and no shame,” Cassidy said.
Jaime Shepler was another member that gave a victim impact statement. She said Club Cadillac is like her home and they are her only friends.
She said she thinks Bottoms should have gotten a stronger sentence but it’s a start.
“She may have taken that money, but she can’t take our humanity, our ability to care and help people. And she can’t take the bond that we have amongst each other, and it made it stronger,” Shepler said.
For more information about Club Cadillac, please click here or here. They have also started a go fund me to recoup the money that was stolen. For more information, please click here.