Catherine Skidmore, Embezzlement, Idaho 2022
A Meridian woman was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for embezzling over $1.7 million from the Black Canyon Irrigation District.
Catherine Skidmore, 56, was employed as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Black Canyon Irrigation District from approximately January 2014 through July 2022.
According to court records, Skidmore had access to and signature authority over the district's bank accounts, including the ability to write and deposit checks and transfer funds to and from the accounts.
Beginning in May 2019 and continuing to July 2022, Skidmore knowingly devised a scheme to defraud the district by embezzling more than $1.7 million through a series of transfers between the district's financial accounts.
The scheme involved Skidmore opening a second Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP) account without the knowledge or authorization of the district or its board of directors.
Skidmore then caused approximately $1,792,000 to be transferred from the unauthorized LGIP account to the ICCU savings account through a series of 25 separate interstate wire transfers, all without the knowledge of the district.
Once the funds were transferred to the district's savings account, Skidmore withdrew the funds, mostly in the form of cashier's checks, and used them for her personal benefit.
Skidmore was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford to 41 months in federal prison, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,792,207.59, and to serve three years of supervised release following her prison sentence.
The embezzlement scheme was carried out between May 2019 and July 2022, resulting in a total loss of over $1.7 million to the Black Canyon Irrigation District.
Catherine Skidmore, a 56-year-old resident of Meridian, Idaho, was employed as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Black Canyon Irrigation District.
Defendant: Catherine Skidmore, Secretary-Treasurer of the Black Canyon Irrigation District
Criminal Charges: Wire fraud and money laundering
City and State: Meridian, Idaho
Date: Sentencing date not specified
Sentence: 41 months in federal prison, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,792,207.59, and to serve three years of supervised release following her prison sentence
Dollar amounts: $1,792,207.59 restitution, $1.7 million embezzlement
Key Facts
- State: Idaho
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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