A shocking case of corporate embezzlement has come to light in Crowley, Louisiana, where a former bookkeeper has pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $150,000 from a local equipment company.
Alexandria, La. – Otavia L. Lewis, 38, of Crowley, pleaded guilty Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell for stealing more than $148,000 from a Crowley equipment company.
Pursuant to the guilty plea, Lewis worked as a bookkeeper for the company from March 2014 to May 2016. She used accounting software to transfer funds from the company’s bank account to accounts and debit cards she and others controlled.
In a brazen attempt to cover her tracks, Lewis used other employees’ names to justify the payments, further exacerbating the scope of her deceit.
According to the investigation, Lewis stole a staggering $148,753.28 during the course of the scheme, leaving many to wonder how such a massive heist went undetected for so long.
Lewis now faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. The court has set the sentencing date for August 5, 2019.
The U.S. Secret Service conducted the investigation, with the case being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney T. Forrest Phillips.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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