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Joplin Little League President Pleads Guilty to $50,000 Fraud Scheme
Diane L. Heikkila, 41, of Joplin, Mo., has pleaded guilty to stealing approximately $50,000 from the Joplin South Little League.
Heikkila waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush on Monday, June 27, 2016, to a federal information that charges her with wire fraud.
According to court documents, Heikkila, while president, used the organization’s bank debit/credit card to make numerous purchases for personal gain. There were 217 incidents identified where ‘cash back’ from point-of-sale transactions took place, with a total of $17,360 received as ‘cash back,’ but these monies were never returned to the organization.
Heikkila also used the organization’s debit/credit card at ATMs to receive cash unrelated to the expenses of the Joplin South Little League. For example, on June 10, 2013, Heikkila fraudulently used the Joplin South Little League’s debit/credit card to conduct a $503 ATM withdrawal ($500 with a $3 fee) at Downstream Casino in Quapaw, Okla.
The treasurer for the Joplin South Little League began reviewing account statements for the organization and in early 2014 discovered suspicious transactions taking place at retail stores, ATMs and casinos. The concerns were brought to the attention of the executive board for the Joplin South Little League and after a review Heikkila was removed from her position in March 2014.
Under the terms of her plea agreement, Heikkila must pay a money judgment in the amount of $50,000. She also faces up to 20 years in federal prison without parole, as prescribed by Congress. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney and was investigated by the FBI.
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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