It is easy to make a mistake at a place of employment. While such an incident can often lead to censure or possibly even termination, it rarely results in an arrest and criminal charges. Unfortunately, an elderly woman in Missouri was recently arrested, charged with embezzlement.
The charges stem from the woman’s employment at a company that specializes in commercial real estate property management. Police apparently believe that the 70-year-old embezzled over $2 million from the company. The embezzlement allegedly occurred over a period of approximately 14 years.
Officials claim that the woman would withdraw large sums of money. She allegedly used the money for home renovations, mortgage payments, shopping, legal services and providing care for her elderly mother. Following a grand jury indictment, she was arrested and now faces a felony charge of wire fraud. It is unclear what caused officials to suspect the woman or what evidence supports their claims against her. If convicted, she could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.
Cases involving allegations of embezzlement are often complex, and the average person in Missouri often does not have the necessary legal experience to respond to such allegations. Fortunately, there are attorneys who can can help defendants fully understand all aspects of their case, allowing them to make informed decisions about the path their case will follow. While some defendants accused of a white collar crime may ultimately decide to fight the charges in court, many will decide that accepting a plea deal for reduced charges or a shorter sentence may be in their best interests.
Source: U.S. News & World Report, “Woman Arrested in $2M Missouri Embezzlement Case“, Aug. 16, 2017