Judge orders trial for David Coker, a former legislative aide accused of embezzling part of $25 million earmark ‘There’s more than mere suspicion’ Coker committed crimes, Judge Kristen D. Simmons said in her decision Coker has pleaded not guilty. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted LANSING — A former legislative aide will stand trial on allegations of embezzling part of a $25 million state budget earmark to pay off car loans and buy precious metals, a Michigan judge ruled Wednesday.