Edmonds Man Convicted Of Defrauding U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps

EDMONDS, WA - An Edmonds man was convicted on Friday of defrauding a local nonprofit training program of more than $50,000, according to U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. Michael N. Leighton, 49, was found guilty Friday by a jury of four counts of wire fraud and one count of embezzlement.

Leighton was a training officer in Snohomish and Skagit counties for the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, which provides Navy-style leadership training for youth. Leighton was in charge of the bank account where tuition and federal grants to support the local NSCC were deposited.

Leighton began withdrawing money from that account, according to the U.S. Attorney, in 2011 to buy things like guns, gas, and meals. He was not allowed to use money for those purposes. Leighton also submitted fraudulent financial reports to the NSCC, according to the U.S. Attorney.

Finally, when Leighton left the NSCC, the new volunteer leaders of the group discovered that valuable electronics were missing from the office, according to the U.S. Attorney. Leighton had purchased the items using NSCC funds.

Leighton will be sentenced Feb. 22 at U.S. District Court in Seattle.

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