Jennifer Elizabeth Meehan, Wire Fraud, Bank Fraud, Money Laundering, Alabama 2020

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A South Carolina attorney is behind bars and facing serious charges after allegedly orchestrating a scheme to submit false invoices for furnishings and equipment for a University of Alabama sorority house, netting her over $470,000 in the process.

Jennifer Elizabeth Meehan, 38, was arrested by federal authorities and charged with eight counts of wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering. According to the indictment, Meehan used interstate electronic communication to submit fraudulent invoices to Greek Resource Services, a contract company that handles the finances for fraternities and sororities at UA, totaling about $95,000.

The indictment also alleges that Meehan executed a bank fraud scheme involving about $375,000, in which she opened an account at First Citizens Bank under a fraudulent business name and then submitted additional fraudulent invoices to Greek Resource Services. GRS then gave Meehan two checks totaling about $375,000, which she deposited into the newly opened First Citizens account.

Meehan, a former member of Gamma Phi Beta at Alabama, was acting in her position as president of the House Corporation Board of the Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority in an unpaid, volunteer capacity during the course of the fraud, according to the indictment.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with Assistant U.S. Attorney David H. Estes prosecuting the case.

Meehan could face a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of the mail fraud. The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in financial dealings, particularly in high-stakes environments like university finance offices.

The indictment details four instances of money laundering, in which Meehan wired more than $10,000 gained through the bank and wire fraud into accounts she owned.

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