Woman Charged With Embezzling $1 Million From Archdiocese of New York

Anita Collins, 67, of the Bronx, New York, has been charged with embezzling more than $1 million from the Catholic Archdiocese of New York, where she had been employed as an accounts payable bookkeeper within its Department of Education Finance Office.  According to authorities, over a 7 year period, Collins issued phony invoices and wrote at least 468 unauthorized checks from the Archdiocese's educational fund to "KB Collins" (initials for her son), ultimately for her own benefit.  According to the prosecutor, Collins spent the stolen money on “a lifestyle that was not extravagant but was far beyond her lawful means."  At least some of the stolen money was used to purchase expensive dolls adn other items.  Reportedly, Collins previously pleaded guilty to criminal charges in fraud schemes at other New York employers in 1986 and 1999.  She has reportedly confessed to the thefts.

Read the story here and here.

Update (3/1/12): Collins has plead not guilty to the charges.

Update (8/17/12): Collins has reached a plea agreement to plea guilty and face a sentence of 4 years in prison.

Elderly California Woman Charged With Embezzling More Than $300K From Trauma Counseling Concern

Judy T. Gordon, 79, of San Marcos, California, has been charged with embezzling more than $300,000 from Trauma Intervention Programs National Inc., (TIPS), where she had served as longtime bookkeeper.  According to authorities, over a period of at least 4 years, limited by statute, Gordon siphoned funds from the non-profit made up of volunteers who are called to emergency scenes to help family members in the wake of a sudden trauma, including death.  Gordon's scheme reportedly involved the forgery of checks for her own benefit.  She has been charged with embezzlement, grand theft and 31 counts of forgery.

Read the story here.

Update: Gordon pleaded guilty to one count of grand theft and two counts of forgery in March 2012.

Update (5/22/12): Gordon has been sentenced to one year in jail.

Default Judgement Entered Against North Carolina Woman & Former Police Chief Husband Accused Of Embezzling $411K From Dental Office

A default judgment has been entered against Allison R. McKenzie, believed to be in her late 30s and Christopher T. McKenzie, believed to be in his early 40s, husband and wife, of Carthage, North Carolina for $411,000 allegedly embezzled from Dr. G.R Horton, a local dentist for which Allison had been employed.  Christopher McKenzie resigned as Chief of the Carthage Police Department.  She reportedly admitted to embezzling the funds over a period of "several years."  According to media reports, the thefts began in February 2005 and continued for more than 6 years until she was fired in June 2011.  Christopher resigned his position in July 2011.  At this time, no criminal charges have been filed against either party.

Read the story here and here.

Hat tip: FraudTalk reader Joe.

Update (8/8/12): Allison and Christopher McKenzie have been formally indicted on embezzlement charges.

New Jersey Woman Arrested For Allegedly Embezzling $130

Melissa Covey, 42, of Bridgewater, New Jersey, has been arrested on charges she embezzled some $130,000 in computer-related equipment from Quintum Technologies, LLC for whom she had been employed as a buyer. According to authorities, Covey allegedly ordered equipment from vendors through Quintum's purchase accounts and then submitted fictitious purchase orders so the purchases appeared to be for legitimate business. Covey would then sell the items to various third parties through Ebay and keep the profit.  If convicted, Covey faces up to 10 years in state prison.

Read the story here, here and here.

Oklahoma Woman Charged With Embezzling More Than $200K

Pam Matthews

Pamela Gibson Matthews, 51, of Lone Grove, Oklahoma, has been charged with embezzling more than $200,000 from Day Concrete & Block Co. where she had been employed.  According to authorities, Matthews admitted to taking the funds for her own use and apologized when she was confronted by her employer. 

Developing...

Read and view the story here.

Update (5/3/12): Matthews has entered into a plea agreement and was sentenced to 7 years in prison.   She was also ordered to pay restitution of  $155,000.  Matthews is reported to be the wife of Lone Grove Councilman Jeff Matthews.   According to media reports, Matthews previously pleaded guilty in 2003 to four charges of embezzlement for misappropriating $127,000 from Arbuckle Wilderness and received a probation sentence, plus restitution.

Former Pennsylvania Paralegal Who Faked Kidnapping, Sentenced For Embezzling More Than $1 Million

Bonnie Sweeten, 40, of Feasterville, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 8 years in prison for embezzling more than $1 million, including  $640,000 from an unnamed Bucks County-based law firm where she had been employed.  Sweeten faked her own kidnapping in 2009, ultimately turning up in Disney World with her daughter.  Sweeten also allegedly claimed she had a law degree.  Sweeten was originally charged in May 2010 with wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, misuse of a passport, lying to federal official and money laundering.  The embezzlement reportedly occurred over a period of at least 4 years, from 2005 and 2009.  Sweeten reportedly spent the ill-gotten gains on clothing, jewelry, tanning salons, gym usage, electronics and mortgage payments. 

Read the story here, here, here and here.

Hawaiian Banker Pleads Guilty To Embezzling $2.6 Million

Lani-Ann M. Miho, 52, of Hilo, Hawaii, pleaded guilty to charges she embezzled more than $2.68 million from First Hawaiian Bank, where she had been employed as a longtime manager.  According to prosecutors, over a period of more than 10 years, from July 2000 to September 2010, Miho siphoned funds from the bank by creating at least 56 phony client accounts, withdrawing funds and using proceeds from recently opened accounts to pay balances due on earlier accounts.  Miho then used her position to keep track of the accounts and pay them before they became delinquent, ultimately converting the funds to her own benefit.  A total of $2,683,494.13 was reportedly embezzled by Miho.  She has reportedly repaid $2 million of the funds she embezzled.  Miho had been an employee of the bank for 29 years.  Her attorney claimed that Miho was "diagnosed with a psychological disorder which played a prominent role in this problem."

Read the story here, here and here.

Read the DOJ announcement here.

Note: this is the second major embezzlement of 2012.

California Woman Accused Of Embezzling More Than $100K From Auto Dealership

Lizeth Guadalupe Ochoa, 35,of San Diego, California, has been accused of embezzling more than $100,000 from Drew Ford where she had been employed as telecommunications director.  According to authorities, over a "significant period of time," Ochoa siphoned funds from the dealership "using some techniques that were challenging for police and for staff to recognize."  She has been a 13 year employee of the company.  Bail was set at $1 million.

Developing...

Read the story here, here and here.

Oklahoma Woman Accused Of Embezzling $126K From Animal Hospital

Tammy Lou Daniels, 42, of Elgin, Oklahoma, has been accused of embezzling more than $126,000 from the Beavers Animal Hospital where she had been employed as office manager.  According to reports, over a period of nearly 7 1/2 years, from July 2003 to December 2010, Daniels siphoned funds from the veterinary facility.  A total of $126,151.78 is alleged to have been embezzled by Daniels.  Full details of the case have not been released. 

Developing...

Read the story here and here.

Arizona Woman To Face Trial For Allegedly Embezzling $270K From Shopping Center

Holly Faye Youvella, 33, of San Carlos, Arizona, will face trial on March 6, 2012 for allegedly embezzling about $270,000 from the Peridot Shopping Center, Inc. which is owned by the San Carlos Tribal Organization, where she had been employed as a bookkeeper.  Youvella was originally indicted on October 25, 2011.  According to prosecutors, over a period of about 2 years, from October 15, 2008 to March 18, 2010, Youvella cashed approximately 237 fraudulent checks totalling drawn from the shopping center’s checking account and made out to herself or a member of her family.  Prosecutors alleged that Youvella stole an additional $4,301 from the shopping center by making fraudulent electoronic funds transfers between June 18, 2010 and August 5, 2010. 

Read the story here and here.

Read the DOJ announcement of her indictment here.

Update (7/6/12): Youvella, now 34, has plead guilty to embezzing more than $270,000 from the San Carlos Tribal Organization.

California Attorney Pleads Guilty To Embezzling $112K From Client Trust Account

Patricia A. Gregory, believed to be 61, of Carlsbad, California, has pleaded guilty to embezzling $112,000 from two client trust accounts  According to authorities, Gregory withdrew the funds from the client's account to which she was not entitled.  Specifically, she pleaded guilty to one felony count of embezzlement, one misdemeanor count of embezzlement and a misdemeanor count of practicing law without a license. Gregory's law license has been suspended, and she has been recommended for disbarment.  The misappropriations occurred during 2008.

Read the story here and here.

Affinity Fraud: Fleecing the Flock - The Economist

Read this article in the Economist about affinity Ponzi Schemes featuring Marquet International data.

New Mexico Woman Under Investigation For Alleged Embezzlement Of More Than $200K From Convention Center

Debbie Dusenbery, 41, of Farmington, New Mexico, is under investigation by the Farmington Police Department for allegedly embezzling more than $200,000 from the Farmington Convention and Visitors Bureau where she had served as Executive Director.  According to reports, Dusenbery resigned from her position last week and sent a check for $100,000 to authorities, presumably as a form of restitution.  Farmington police have seized Dusenbery's computers and financial documents.  Dusenbery reportedly made at least two unauthorized transactions each month to pay her personal creditors.  According to the police, Dusenbery spent the misappropriated funds to pay for "a MacBook computer, numerous extravagant trips for friends and family members to Miami, Las Vegas and the Cayman Islands, and to purchase a guided elk hunt for her boyfriend and another friend."  For her part, Dusenbery has claimed she suffers from cancer, but plans on "doing the right thing," with respect to paying back the agency.  According to her LinkedIn profile, Dusenbery has been employed by the agency since 1995.  She supposedly studied accounting at the University of New Mexico.

Read the story here and here.

Update (2/3/12):  Dusenbery was found dead in the desert several miles south of Lake Havasu City on Tuesday the result of an apparent suicide.  A note attached to her red Jeep Cherokee requested that Farmington, New Mexico police be contacted.  A .38 caliber revolver was found next to her body.

West Virginia Woman Pleads Guilty To Embezzling $269K From County Library

Marli Jenkins, 43, of Taylor County, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to embezzling some $269,000 from the Taylor County Public Library where she had served as head librarian.  According to authorities, over a period of at least 3 years, from 2007 to 2010, Jenkins abused library credit card accounts for her own benefit.  Specifically, Jenkins pleaded guilty to felony embezzlement, falsifying accounts, and fraudulent use of an access device.

Read the story here.

Former Head Of Michigan Charity For The Poor Charged With Embezzling $140K From The Non-Profit

Mary Lee Flohe, 69, of Elmwood Township, Michigan, has been charged with embezzling some $140,000 from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a non-profit that serves the poor, where she had served as president.  Authorities allege that over at least a five year period, from 2005 to 2010, Flohe "used charity funds to pay personal bills, gave herself a $10,000 retirement bonus and cut thousands of dollars in checks to family and friends."  The scheme, in which Flohe wrote numerous checks for her own benefit, came to a head in June 2011, when an investigation was announced.

Read the story here and here.

Update (4/7/12): Flohe has pleaded guilty to one felony count of attempted embezzlement of between $1,000 and $20,000 from a nonprofit or charitable organization.

South Dakota Man Sentenced For Embezzling $145K From Cancer Treatment Center

Terry Ryan Portra, 46, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison for embezzling some $145,000 from the McHale Institute, a local cancer treatment center, where he had been employed.  According to authorities, over a period of 3 years, from January 2008 to January 2011, Portra siphoned funds from the heathcare concern.  He reportedly spent the funds to "maintain a lavish lifestyle, purchasing day spa trips for himself and his wife, and to pay off debts from a previous bankruptcy."  Portra, who plead guilty to aggravated theft last October, was also ordered to pay full restitution. 

Read the story here and here.

Former New York Real Estate Attorney Suspected Of Embezzling As Much As $28 Million

Douglas R. Arntsen, 34, of Staten Island, was in court in New York City on charges he embezzled as much as $28 million from law firm clients of his while an attorney at Crowell and Moring.  Arntsen was originally suspected of the misappropriations in September 2011 after he vanished as was later arrested in Hong Kong, from which he was extradited back to New York.  Authorities allege Arntsen siphoned large sums of funds by making transfers from client escrow accounts for his own benefit.  One such client, Regal Real Estate, is reported to have lost about $5.5 million which the law firm has reimbursed.  Arntsen had been with the firm since February 2007.  Prosecutors allege that from April 2010 through September 2011, Arntsen misappropriated about $7 million in this fashion.  He is now being investigated for embezzling another $21 million.

Read the story here, here and here.

This one will definitely make the top 10 list for the year!

California Woman Pleads Guilty To Embezzling More Than $500K From Clients Of Real Estate Firm

Louisa Katrina Dubinsky, 54, of Hollister, California, has reached a plea agreement with prosecutors over charges stemming from her alleged embezzlement of more than $500,000 from clients of her real estate firm, Vision Lending and Investment.  Dubinsky was originally arrested in February 2011, even though original charges were filed in 2009.  According to authorities, during 2007, Dubinsky wrote at least 39 bad checks to clients, instead using funds for her own benefit.  Dubinsky was charged with embezzlement, financial elder abuse and writing bad checks. 

Read the story here, here and here.

Texas Man Pleads Guilty To Embezzling $150K From Union

Ronald Witt, 65, of Galveston, Texas, has pleaded guilty to embezzling $150,203 from International Union of Operating Engineers Local 450, where he had served as business manager.  Witt and his wife, Anita Witt, 56, were accused in July 2011 of pilfering funds by making unauthorized charges from the union for their own benefit, to pay for luxury trips and to remodel their home, among other personal expenses.  Anita Witt had been employed as financial secretary for the union. 

Read the story here, here and here.

California Woman Accused Of Embezzling $150K From Agribusiness

Michelle Lem, 42, of Salinas, California, has been arrested on charges she embezzled some $150,000 from International Produce Group, a local agribusiness, where she had been employed as office manager.  According to authorities, over a period of nearly a year and a half, from January 2010 until May 2011, Lem used company credit cards to pay for personal expenses or otherwise for her own benefit.  Lem has served as office manager for the company for 9 years.  Police seized a number of items at her home when she was arrested, included electronics, a washer and dryer and a large gun safe, among others.

Read the story here and here.

Read the police report announcement here.

New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty To Embezzling $10.4 Million From Investment Firm

David Newmark, 39, of Towaco, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $10.4 million from Columbus Hill Capital Management LP, where he had been employed as chief financial officer.  According to prosecutors, over a period of over 3 years, from February 2008 to March 2011, Newmark siphoned funds from the firm by depositing monies to a phony account he created for his own benefit.  Newmark pleaded guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion charges and is due to be sentenced on April 24, 2011.  Prosecutors said Newmark had a serious gambling problem.

Read the story here and here.

This one is a good candidate for the top 10 of the year...

Update (6/7/12): Newmark has been sentenced to 54 months in prison. 

Minnesota Man Accused Of Embezzling $250K From Church Synod

Robert Duane Larson, believed to be 60 years old, of Wolverton, Minnesota, has been accused of embezzling some $250,000 from the Northwestern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America where he had served as bookkeeper since September 2004.  According to reports, over a period of 8 years, from 2004 thorugh 2011, Larson wrote numerous checks to himself and his wife from the synod's non-profit Rural Life Outreach program for which he had served as financial manager. 

Read the story here and here.

Vermont Woman Sentenced For Embezzling $230K From Artist

Pamela Ann Natoli, 54, of Benson, Vermont, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for embezzling some $230,000 from Frances Bull, a local artist and the owner of the Gallery in the Field, for whom she had been employed as a personal assistant.  According to authorities, over the course of 3 years, from November 2006 through October 2009, Natoli wrote numerous checks to pay for personal debts or otherwise for her own benefit.

Read the story here and here.

Read the DOJ announcement here.

2011 Marquet Report on Embezzlement Released

The 2011 Marquet Report on Embezzlement has been released.  Some of the highlights:

2011 was another banner year for employee theft in the United States, continuing the frenetic pace set in 2010. In this report, we identified, researched and analyzed the details of 473 major embezzlement cases in the US active in 2011, a slight 2% decrease in the number of cases from 2010.

Vermont had the highest Embezzlement Propensity Factor followed by Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Montana, Virginia, Iowa and Idaho – identifying these states as having the highest risk for loss to embezzlement in 2011.

The financial services industry suffered the greatest losses due to major embezzlements.

Non-profits and religious organizations combined accounted for about one-sixth of all the major embezzlement incidents in the 2011 study.

The average loss for 2011 was about $750,000; the median loss was $340,000.

Nearly three-quarters of the incidents (72.3%) were committed by employees who held finance/ bookkeeping & accounting positions.

The average scheme lasted nearly 5 years.

The most common embezzlement scheme involved the issuance of forged or unauthorized company checks.

Read the whole study here.

Read some of the articles about these statistics:
Marketwatch, 1.17.12
Burlington Free Press, 1.17.12
Green Mountain Daily, 1.18.12
SecurityInfoWatch, 1.19.12
Inc. magazine, 1.18.12
Forbes.com, 1.17.12
Accounting Today, 1.17.12
Banker & Tradesman, 1.18.12
The Going Concern, 1.18.12
The Fiscal Times, 1.19.12
The Day, 1.19.12
The Ethical Advocate, 1.18.12
VermontBiz.com, 1.17.12
Security Magazine, 1.17.12
KYC360, 1.19.12
Hartford Business Journal 1.23.12

Kentucky Man Arrested & Charged With Embezzling $220K

Kevin D. Gettings, 34, of Russellville, Kentucky, has been arrested and charged with embezzling more than $222,000 from Gerald Printing, where he had been employed as a sales representative.  According to authorities, beginning in October 2004, Gettings bilked his employer by having some clients pay invoices to a phony entity he controlled called "Printers Ink" for his own benefit.

Read the story here.

Nevada Woman Sentenced For Embezzling $1 Million From Friend's Business

Carolyn Sue Causey, known as "Super Sue," 62, of Sparks, Nevada, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for embezzling nearly $1 million from  ERA Realty, owned by her friend, Pat Schweigert.  According to authorities, over a period of about 4 years, between 2007 and 2010, Causey siphoned the funds from the company by issuing fraudulent checks, doctoring accounting logs and creating bogus accounts and payments for her own benefit.  Causey reportedly stole the money to support a gambling addiction.  In addition to the prison time, Causey has been ordered to pay $479,364 in restitution. 

Read the story here and here.

Tennessee Man Arrested & Charged With Embezzling More Than $600K From Vanderbilt University

Jason Hunt, 34, formerly of Nashville, Tennessee, has been arrested and charged with embezzling more than $600,000 from Vanderbilt University where he had been employed as manager of administrative services for the law school.  According to authorities, over a period of as many as six years, Hunt siphoned funds from the educational institution.  Hunt, who was also an owner of the Nashville Pride, reportedly left Vanderbilt abruptly last November and moved to Mexico with his partner, Cole Wakefield, where the two co-owned and operated a night club called Crema.  Hunt was arrested in Arkansas.  Further details about the nature of the embezzlement have not yet been disclosed.

Read the story here and here.

Update (2/5/12): Hunt pleaded not guilty to embezzlement charges accusing him of stealing more than $600,000 from Vanderbilt University's law school.

California Man Pleads Guilty To Stealing Nearly $1 Million In Rare Coins From Colorado Museum

Wyatt Yeager, 33, of Martinez, California, has pleaded guilty to charges he embezzled nearly $1 million in rare coins from the American Numismatic Association Money Museum located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  According to authorities, over a several month period in 2007, Yeager stole coins from the museum and sold them at several auctions that year.  He plead guilty to one count felony of theft of major artwork. 

Read the story here.

California Woman Pleads Guilty To Charges She Embezzled $200K From Bed & Breakfast

Denise Ann Conophy, 51, of Calistoga, California, has pleaded guilty to charges she embezzled more than $200,000 from an unnamed 80-year-old woman and her bed and breakfast inn, for whom she handled her bookkeeping and finances.  According to authorities, over a 7 year period, Conophy systematically transferred the victim's assets to various accounts and used them to pay her personal bills as well as to start up an Internet business she was operating.  Conophy, who plead guilty to embezzlement, elder abuse and tax evasion, will be sentenced to 16 months and prison and has been ordered to pay $300,000 in restitution.

Read the story here.

Hat tip: FraudTalk reader Joe.

Update (3/9/12): Conophy was sentenced to 16 months in prison.

Nevada Woman Accused Of Embezzling More Than $700K From Medical Practice

Gretchen Swope, 65, of Reno, Nevada, has been accused in a civil action filed by Reno Emergency Physicians Association of embezzling more than $700,000 from the practice for which she and her firm, Medical Billing Inc., handled the finances.  According to the suit, Swope, aided by her husband, Karl Swope and Brian Fairchild, both officers of Medical Billing, Inc., bilked the medical practice out of the funds over a period of about 12 years, beginning in 1999, by transferring funds to bank accounts the defendants controlled for their own benefit.  The alleged misappropriation was discovered through an audit conducted last Fall.  The civil suit seeks $1.5 million in damages.

Read the story here and here.

North Carolina Man Charged With Embezzling $136K From Church

Robert Garland Lahr, 49, formerly of Knightdale, North Carolina, has been charged with embezzling $136,324.58 from the Hayes Barton Baptist Church where he had served as administrator.  According to authorities, over a period of about 5 years, beginning in 2006, Lahr used a church credit card to make personal purchases, manipulated his salary through payroll shenanigans and made unauthorized transfers from church accounts for his own benefit.


Read the story here and here.

Former Executive With Mall Owner In Florida Accused Of Embezzling $300K

Lynnette Lauria, 59, of Clermont, Florida, has been accused in a civil action of embezzling some $300,000 from mall owner, Simon Property Group, Inc., where she had been emplyed as regional vice president of marketing for Florida and Puerto Rico.  The case, filed in federal court in Florida last year (case no. 11-cv-01598), alleges that Lauria conspired to commit fraud when she awarded contracts and invoiced Simon for a variety of services that were never performed by entities created by herself and family members.  Lauria has not yet been charged criminally.

Read the story here.

Former Receptionist In Illinois Sentenced For Embezzling More Than $100K

Erica Salgado, 24, of Montgomery, Illinois, has been sentenced to four years in prison for embezzling $102,690 from Rental Homes, Inc. where she had been employed as a receptionist.  According to authorities, over a 13 month period, beginning April 14, 2009 and continuing through May 23, 2010, Salgado wrote herself at least 80 unauthorized checks and forged the owner's signature for her own benefit.  She reportedly spent some of the money purchasing designer purses and other luxury items.  Salgado has also been ordered to pay full restitution. 

Read the story here.

Read the DuPage County prosecutor's announcement here.

Charges Dropped Against Wisconsin Woman Accused Of Embezzling $300K

Debra Gear, 47, of Appleton, Wisconsin, who was accused of embezzling more than $300,000 from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, has had the charges dropped after agreeing to make full restitution.  Gear allegedly misappropriated the funds over a period of nearly 2 years, from July 2009 and May 2011.  Authorities alleged that Gear added false claims to customers' accounts, and then had a relative transfer the money to her own bank account.  Gear claimed she began stealing to pay her bills after she developed a gambling habit.

Read the story here.

Hat tip: FraudTalk reader, Joe.

Former Oregon Banker Sentenced For Embezzling $146K From Credit Union

Lenora Colburn, 49, of Eugene, Oregon, has been sentenced to one year of home detention for embezzling about $146,000 from the SELCO Community Credit Union, where she had been employed as supervisor and assistant manager.  According to authorities, over a period of 8 years, from 2003 through 2011, Colburn siphoned funds from the credit union, concealing the thefts by creating phony cash transactions, rigging internal audits and manipulating balances in cash drawers and vaults.  Colburn, who has reportedly been diagnosed as a "pathological gambler," a factor which apparently contributed to her embezzlement, has also been ordered to pay restitution, perform 600 hours of community service and is barred from entering a casino.  Colburn was originally charged last year in the case and plead guilty in November 2011.

Read the story here and here.

Another unfortunate weak sentence....

California Woman Arrested For Embezzling More Than $100,000 From Auto Dealership; Prosecutors Decline To File Charges

Lizeth Guadalupe Ochoa, 35, of Mission Valley, California, who was arrested last week on suspicion of embezzling more than $100,000 from Drew Ford where she had been employed "in a financial capacity," will not be charged.  According to authorities, Ochoa who was suspected of siphoning funds from the dealership where she had been employed for 13 years, "over a significant time period."   However, prosecutors have decided not to file charges against Ochoa for unspecified reasons, other than to say that the cases did not meet their prosecutorial standards.  Details of the alleged embezzlement have not yet been released.

Read the story here and here.

Update (6/13/12): Ochoa has pleaded guilty to what now is understood to be $840,000 from Drew Ford over a period of 8 years, beginning in 2003.  She plead guilty to 2 felony counts of grand theft and embezzlement by an employee.

Former Mississippi Banker Sentenced For Embezzling $144K

Lisa Brooks, 45, of Gulfport, Mississippi has pleaded guilty to and been sentenced to 2 years in prison for embezzling nearly $144,000 from Hancock Bank, where she had been employed as an adjuster.  According to authorities, over a period of 2 years, from October 2006 to October 2008, Brooks diverted payments made to the bank for her own benefit.  She has been banned from working in the financial industry and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.  It should be noted that Chief U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola Jr., who presided over this case, also presided over the case involving a $3.4 million embezzlement from Hancock Bank a couple of years ago perpetrated by Margaret M. Migues and Willie Doris Burney.  

Read the story here and  here.

Hat tip: FraudTalk reader Joe.

Elderly Virginia Attorney Sentenced For Embezzling More Than $1 Million From Clients

William Orr Smith, 72, of Henrico County, Virginia, has been sentenced to 3 years in prison for embzzling $1,065,327.10 from his clients at Montbrook Title LLC.  According to authorities, beginning in 2005 and continuing for 5 years, Smith siphoned funds from client mortgage and foreclosure accounts using "hundreds of illegal transfers."  Smith has lost his law license and been ordered to pay full restitution.

Read the story here.

North Carolina Attorney Indicted On Charges She Embezzled $1.13 Million From Clients

Jennifer Lynne Green-Lee, 39, of Raleigh, North Carolina, an attorney, has been indicted on charges she embezzled some $1.13 million from her legal clients.  According to reports, between March and May 2011, Green-Lee siphoned the funds from client accounts for her own benefit.  Some $244,075.52 was allegedly stolen from Golden Properties and Development, Inc., a local contracting company, in three separate transactions.  Green-Lee has been suspended from practicing law pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings.  She has been indicted on 13 counts of felony theft by embezzlement.

Read the story here and here.


Update (2/16/15): Green-Lee was sentenced to a minimum 5 years in prison.

Former Rockstar's Groundskeeper Sentenced For Embezzling $287K

Eric Hosmer, 44, of North Incline Village, Nevada, has been sentenced to six months in prison for embezzling some $287,000 from David Coverdale, the founder of the rock band, Whitesnake, and his wife, Cindy Coverdale.  According to authorities, over a period of about one year, Hosmer routinely submitted fraudulent invoices for payment to Coverdale's accounting firm.  The thefts were discovered last March.  Hosmer reportedly owns multiple properties in the Incline Village are of North Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

Read the story here.

Read the Washoe County Sheriff's announcement here.

Illinois Man Pleads Guilty To Embezzling $122K From Credit Union

Thomas A. Miles, 42, of Roscoe, Illinois, has pleaded guilty to charges he embezzled more than $122,000 from the Rock Valley Federal Credit Union where he had been employed as collections supervisor.  According to authorities, over the course of nearly 3 years, from October 2007 to August 2010, Miles fraudulently converted at least 163 checks paid by delinquent bank customers for his own benefit. 

Read the story here.

Former Police Union President In Florida Charged With Embezzling $200K

Vernell Reynolds, 46, of Hollywood, Florida, has been charged with embezzling some $200,000 from the Miami Community Police Benevolent Association where she had served as president.  According to authorities, over a period of nearly 2 years, from at least September 2008 through June 2010, Reynolds pilfered funds from union accounts for his own benefit.  Some of the withdrawals were made at casinos in Florida and California.  Reynolds, who was a former police officer with the Miami PD, also made improper transfers of funds from union accounts to her own personal accounts.  She has been charged with 16 counts of wire fraud.

Read the story here.

 Hat tip: FraudTalk reader Joe.

Read an update of the story here.

Michigan Woman Sentenced For Embezzling $600K

Janice Branderhorst, 48, of Holland, Michigan, has been sentenced to 13 months in prison for embezzling nearly $600,000 from Focus Properties where she had been employed as administrative assistant.   According to authorities, over a period of about 12 years, from 1999 through 2012, Branderhorst wrote at least 427 checks drawn on company coffers for her own benefit.  Branderhorst also agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $380,000. 

Read the story here and here.

Georgia Realtor Sentenced For Embezzling $160K From Firm

Andrew Lee Loftis, 40, of Athens, Georgia, has been sentenced to 48 months in prison followed by 15 years probation for embezzling about $160,000 from Keller Realty Greater Athens where he had been employed as office manager.  According to authorities, over a period of nearly 2 years, from November 2007 through August 2009, Loftis transferred company funds from the agency to his own accounts "because he didn’t want to lose the lifestyle he had."  Loftis was originally indicted in July 2010, after he left Keller Realty to form his own firm known as Loftis Holdings. 

Read the story here and here.

Former Satellite Radio Bookkeeper Pleads Guilty To Embezzling More Than $900K

Brenda L. Jones, 46, of Lothian, Maryland, has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $908,000 from Sirius XM Radio where she had been employed as a bookkeeper handling accounts payable.  According to authorities, over a period of more than one year, from 2005 through 2006, Jones diverted vendor payments for her own benefit.  Another Sirius employee, Valencia P. Person allegedly was the beneficiary of some of the funds diverted by Jones.  The two were sued in a civil action in November 2010 by Sirius XM Radio which won a judgment for $2,143,893 plus costs, against the women to recover losses caused by the defalcation. 

Read the story here and here.

Read the DOJ announcement here.

Update (3/16/12): Person, 54, has plead guilty to fraud charges admitting she conspired with Jones to misppropriate more than $900,000 from Sirius XM Radio.  Specifically, Person plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and faces between 24 and 30 months in prison.

Update (8/10/12): Person was sentenced to 15 months in prison for her part in the scheme to embezzle more than $900,000 from Sirius XM Satellite Radio.

Wisconsin Woman Pleads Guilty To Embezzling $105K From Social Service Agency

Mildred Horvath, 64, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin pleaded guilty to charges she embezzling about $105,000 from Social Rehabilitation and Residential Resources where she had served as executive director.  According to authorities, over a period of about 2 years, from 2008 through 2010, Horvath transferred funds intended to go to clients for Social Security payments for disabilities and supplemental payments.  She then used the money for her own benefit.  As part of the plea agreement, Horvath must also pay restitution.  This is not the first time Horvath has come to the attention of authorities for questionable financial transactions.  In 2004, a state audit showed another organization, for which Horvath served as chief financial officer, was paid more than $375,000 in state funds for services that were never provided.  However, she was never accused of any wrongdoing in those circumstances.

Read the story here, here and here.

Colorado Man Gets Probation After Embezzling $815K From Non-Profit

Long Khong, believed to be 41, of Denver, Colorado, has been sentenced to just five years of supervised release for embezzling more than $815,000 from the Colorado Association of School Executives where he had been employed as manager of business services.  Prosecutors alleged that over a period of about 7 years, from 2001 to 2008, Khong siphoned funds from the non-profit by abusing association credit cards.  The court also ordered Khong, a Vietnamese refugee, to get a job and set aside at least 25 percent of his salary to pay restitution.  He must also continue with gambling-addiction therapy and cannot place any bets.

Read the story here.

Illinois Woman Sentenced For Embezzling $921K From Doctor's Office

Flora Buckingham, 70, of Granite City, Illinois, has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for embezzling some $921,000 from Ahmad and Rana Pediatrics, Ltd., where she had been employed as an office manager.  Prosecutors alleged that over a six and a half year period, from May 2004 to November 2010, Buckingham wrote numerous checks from the healthcare concern to pay personal bills and otherwise for her own benefit.  She has also been ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $921,041.  Buckingham had plead guilty last September to one count of mail fraud.

Read the story here, here, here and here.

Hat tip: FraudTalk reader Joe.

Michigan Pastor, Wife, Accused Of Looting Church As Much As $230K

Arthur L. Pearson

Arthur Lee Pearson, 38, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been accused of looting the church he ran as pastor, Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, out of as much as $237,000.  Authorities allege that Pearson and his wife, Gwendolyn Pearson, who served as bookkeeper at the church, used church funds for their own benefit, specifically to purchase personal items using checks and credit cards of the church.  Meanwhile the church as filed a civil lawsuit against Pearson to recover the monies.  Pearson has served as pastor for 3 1/2 years.

Read the story here, here and here.

Update (3/6/12): Pearson has been ordered to stand trial.

Update (5/6/12): Gerolanita Bailey, the former church bookkeeper, has been charged with embezzling about $26,000 from the church.  Read an update of the story here.

Update (4/4/13):

From WOODtv8

Pastor's embezzlement sentencing stayed

Arthur Pearson will work out restitution plan

Updated: Thursday, 04 Apr 2013, 3:00 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 04 Apr 2013, 3:00 PM EDT

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The sentencing of a Grand Rapids pastor who embezzled from his church, which may have lost more than $230,000 over three years, was delayed Thursday.

Arthur Pearson was granted a three-month stay of sentencing so he will have time to make arrangements for a 48-month restitution plan to repay more than $160,000.

In January 2013, Pearson pleaded no contest to embezzling between $50,000 and $100,000 from Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church.

Pearson turned himself in after allegations first surfaced in early January 2012. He initially claimed his contract did not specifically prevent him from using certain funds on personal items, such as car repairs and mall shopping trips.

His preliminary exam lasted for days over the course of a month. In March 2012, he was ordered to stand trial, but entered into a plea deal before that trial could begin. He was fired from the church in June 2012.

A representative from the church spoke in court Thursday about Pearson's change in behavior and how he changed the financial structure at the church.

A new sentencing date of July 11 was set.

A second person, former church bookkeeper Gerolanita Bailey, has also entered in to a plea deal in the case.

 

California Woman Pleads Guilty To Embezzling As Much As $241K

Stephanie Yost, 39, of Tulare, California, has pleaded guilty to charges she embezzled between $120,000 and $241,000 from Faulkner Trucking where she had been employed in what is believed to be a bookkeeping capacity.  According to authorities, over a period of at least one year, from April 2004 to April 2005, Yost prepared duplicate payroll checks for herself and two co-defendants, Vickie Ann Kyle and Dustie Denise Levine, former a secretary and billing clerk, respectively.  Specifically, Yost plead guilty to six counts of wire fraud as well as conspiracy to commit wire fraud. 

Read the story here and here.

Update (7/16/12): Yost was sentenced to 37 months in prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud and six counts of wire fraud related to her embezzlement scheme.  Yost was also ordered to pay 243,841 in restitution to Faulkner Trucking.  Vickie Kyle and Dustie Levine were each sentenced to 36 months of probation and ordered to pay $37,940 in restitution.

Hawaii Man Sentenced For Embezzling $284K

Scott Kamiya, 34, of Honolulu, Hawaii, has been sentenced to 33 months in prison for embezzling more than $284,000 from an unnamed family trust for which he had been employed as bookkeeper.  According to authorities, over a 5 year period, from 2005 to 2010, Kamiya siphoned funds from the trust by (1) altering checks to make them payable to himself or his business entities, (2) depositing checks made payable to the trust into his own personal or business accounts, by forging endorsements of the trustee, and (3) initiating online transfers to pay his own personal and business expenses.  Kamiya made at least 107 such fraudulent transactions.  Kamiya was a local realtor and also had served on the board of directors of the Honolulu Board of Realtors, according to media reports.  He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of 284,219.31.

Read the story here.

Illinois Woman Charged With Embezzling More Than $1 Million From Beverage Company

Linda Bessert, 48, of Winnebego, IL, has been charged with embezzling $1.05 million from Wirtz Beverage where she had been employed as an office manager.  According to authorities, over a six year period, from 2004 until October 2010, Bessert misappropriated cash receipts meant to be delivered by armored car to the bank for deposit.  Bessert has been charged with state felony charges including one count of theft, one count of theft of more than $1 million, and one felony count of theft of more than $500,000.

Read the story here and here.

Hat tip: FraudTalk reader Joe.

DC Council Member Charged With Embezzling $350K

Harry Thomas Jr., 51, of Washington, DC, has been charged by federal authorities with embezzling more than $350,000 in government funds from the District of Columbia where he had been serving as a Council Member.  Federal authorities allege that Thomas funnelled government funds, intended for youth sports programs, through intermediaries to pay for personal expenses that included an Audi sport-utility vehicle and golf trips. Thomas, who has been charged with theft of federal funds and tax evasion, resigned his position after the allegations were made public.  The misappropriation allegedly occurred over a nearly 2 year period, from April 2007 to February 2009 and totalled $353,500. 

Read the story here and here.

Read the charging document here.

Update (5/2/12): Thomas has been sentenced to 38 months in prison.  He had plead guilty to theft and tax evasion charges in January 2012.

Louisiana Woman Charged With Embezzling Nearly $200K From Local Housing Agency

Sarah Robert, believed to be in her early 50s, of Church Point, Louisiana, has been charged by federal authorities with embezzling nearly $200,000 from the Church Point Housing Authority in Louisiana where she had served as executive director.  According to prosecutors, Robert employed several schemes to siphon money from the agency.  The principal scheme appears to have involved a vendor fraud variation whereby she phonied up invoices from legitimate vendors and was reimbursed for the fraudulent charges claiming she had paid them with personal funds.  She also gave herself unauthorized bonuses and pay.  The thefts occurred over a two year period between January 2009 and January 2011.  Robert has been charged with one count of embezzlement of government money totaling $195,778.  Another individual, Arthur Felix, has also been charged in the case.  It is unclear how Felix aided and abetted Robert. 

Read the story here.

Hat tip: FraudTalk reader Sara.

Update (3/19/12): Robert, 51 and Felix, 52, have pleaded guilty to federal charges of embezzlement of government money. 

Happy New Year 2012

May the New Year bring health, happiness and prosperity to our readers