ALBUQUERQUE – A ruthless embezzler has finally faced justice after stealing nearly $400,000 from the Pueblo of Jemez.
Beverly Scott, 48, worked as an Accounts Payable Clerk for the Pueblo of Jemez between 2014 and 2020. But instead of doing her job, she used her position to loot the tribe’s funds for her own twisted pleasure.
According to court documents, Scott would change the name and address of vendors in the accounting system to her own name and address, allowing her to issue checks to herself. She would then change the vendor’s information back after the check had been issued.
When a vendor called to inquire about an unpaid invoice in August 2020, financial personnel discovered that a payment had been issued to Scott. A subsequent forensic audit revealed that Scott had issued 116 checks to herself between June 2016 and July 2020, totaling $389,977.84.
The investigation found that a significant portion of the fraudulent payments came from Indian Health Service funds. Scott claimed that she had lost all the money at the Santa Ana Pueblo Casino and other area casinos.
On January 26, 2023, Scott pleaded guilty to one count of federal program fraud. Today, she was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The Pueblo of Jemez is finally seeing justice after being swindled by this deceitful woman.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case, and Assistant United States Attorney Sean J. Sullivan prosecuted the case.
The sentence sends a clear message to those who would seek to exploit and deceive: you will be caught and you will face justice. The people of New Mexico deserve better than to be victimized by the very people they trust.
In this case, the defendant’s greed and deceit have been punished. But the real victims are the people of Jemez Pueblo, who have been left to pick up the pieces after being swindled by Scott’s actions.
The Pueblo of Jemez is a thriving community that deserves to be respected and protected. The sentencing of Beverly Scott is a step towards healing and justice for the Pueblo of Jemez.
Related Federal Cases
- Verdream Sentenced for Albuquerque Bank Heist · New Mexico
- Albuquerque Man Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Identity Theft · Colorado
- Zuni Pueblo Member Pleads Guilty to Child Abuse · New Mexico
- Albuquerque Drug Kingpin Pleads Guilty to Cocaine, Money Laundering · New Mexico
- Albuquerque Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Bank Robbery · New Mexico
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
