A Denair man was taken into custody recently on allegations he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from a Modesto car dealership.

Michael Badiou, 55, arrested on a warrant issued by Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge Dawna Reeves for embezzlement, forgery, and an enhancement for taking in excess of $200,000, according to the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office. Bail is currently set at $250,000 for Badiou.

Badiou worked with American Chevrolet in Modesto as a vehicle wholesaler. As part of his job, Badiou would sell customer trade-in vehicles at auctions and to other car lots for the dealership. He also supplied American Chevrolet with used vehicles. The district attorney’s office contends Badiou sold close to two dozen vehicles and did not pay American Chevrolet their share of the money.

Badiou is set to be arraigned on the charges today in Stanislaus County Superior Court.

The charges arise out of a multi-year investigation conducted by the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office Investigations Bureau.

If anyone has information has information regarding Badiou or related to this case please contact D.A. Investigator Rich Delgado at 525-6929.