Arraignment has been set for April 14 for a former real estate salesman accused of embezzlement and theft.

Michael H. Granger, 50, appeared Wednesday in Kenosha County Circuit Court for his two felony files — one for allegedly pocketing a $12,000 commission, the other for allegedly taking more than $7,800 from a would-be home buyer, according to criminal complaints.

Granger waived a preliminary hearing meant to decide if there was enough evidence to continue the cases, and requests to dismiss the charges were denied, court records show.

If convicted, he faces eight years in prison.

Neither Granger nor his attorney was available for comment.

Theft case

In the theft case, the charges stem from an August 2008 land contract meant to purchase a $140,000 property in the 6300 block of 58th Avenue in Kenosha.

The would-be buyer said she wrote Granger seven checks for what she believed were mortgage payments and other fees. All the checks were cashed. But, she later learned, the land contract was never filed and the home went into foreclosure in February 2009.

When the woman asked Granger about the money she gave him, she reported that he said it was “none of her business” and it was spent, a criminal complaint says.

The homeowner said Granger told him the land contract was needed because the buyer had trouble getting financing. He said he was never presented any paperwork until February 2009, when he said Granger met him at a bar, scrawled out a statement and had him sign it.

The broker for whom Granger worked at the time confirmed that the land contract had not been filed; the incomplete contract was later found in Granger’s desk.

Granger faces two felonies for theft by false representation for the deal.

Embezzlement case

In the embezzlement case, the charge stems from a September 2008 home sale involving Granger’s sister in which Granger allegedly pocketed a $12,000 commission, rather than turning over the money for payment through Unum Realty Inc. in Kenosha, a franchisee of Weichert Realtors.

State regulations require money secured from sales or other transactions to be turned over to the broker for deposit in a general account. Salespeople are later paid, within 48 hours in Granger’s case, out of that fund, according to the criminal complaint.

In Granger’s case, the complaint alleges Granger directed those handling the closing to pay him directly. He then cashed a check for $12,000. The broker, Ralph D. Nudi, reported the incident to the Wisconsin Real Estate Board and local authorities, who issued the criminal charge.

The Wisconsin Real Estate Board revoked Granger’s license in October 2009.

Granger also has four tax warrants on file in Kenosha County Circuit Court, totaling about $53,500, court records show.

Granger is out of jail. He posted a cash bond when charges were filed in December 2009.