Thursday, March 1, 2012

Maryland Woman Pleads Guilty To Embezzling $217K From Federal Government Commission On Religious Freedom

Carmelita R. Hines, 48, of Waldorf, Maryland, pleaded guilty this week to wire fraud charges in connection with an embezzlement scheme she perpetrated in the amount of $217,074 against the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom where she had been employed as director of administration and office operations manager.  According to prosecutors, over a period of at least 4 years, from 2007 through 2011, Hines used commission credit card accounts and fraudulent reimbursements as well as cash withdrawals for her own benefit.  According to the FBI, Hines made personal purchases with the ill-gotten gains that included "assorted gift cards, computer equipment, automobile GPS systems, an iPod Nano, gasoline, cosmetics, movie tickets, investment in a “get-rich-quick” scheme, and other items."  Hines is scheduled to be sentenced on May 11, 2012.

Read the story here.

Read the DOJ announcement here.

Update (5/12/12): Hines has been sentenced to 20 months in prison.

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