Annette M. Straily, Bank Fraud and Tax Evasion, Oklahoma 2017

OKLAHOMA CITY – Annette M. Straily, of Comanche, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty yesterday to bank fraud and signing a false federal income tax return, in connection with a $283,000 embezzlement scheme from a Duncan dental office, announced Robert J. Troester, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.

Straily, who worked as the office manager of a dental office in Duncan, Oklahoma, from April 2012 until June 2017, prepared checks, paid invoices, managed the accounting system, and maintained the petty cash fund. The check in question was an unauthorized office check, in the amount of $1,266.80, made payable to herself in February 2017. Straily admitted to forging the signature on the dental office’s check and later presented that check for payment against the dental office’s bank account at a local bank.

As part of her plea, Straily further admitted that she embezzled funds from her former employer from around April 2012 through June 2017. Straily stipulated in a plea agreement that the total restitution due to the Duncan dental office from the embezzlement scheme is $283,005.11.

In addition to pleading guilty to bank fraud, Straily pleaded guilty to signing a false tax return. She admitted that on April 13, 2016, she signed a personal federal tax return for the 2015 calendar year that she knew was false because it reported only $49,127 in total income. At yesterday’s plea hearing, Straily admitted that she omitted on the 2015 return more than $100,000 of embezzled income for that year from the dental office.

As part of her plea agreement, Straily agreed that she owes $54,286 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service for the tax loss. At sentencing, Straily faces up to 30 years in prison on the bank fraud count, plus five years of supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine. Straily also faces up to three years in prison on the tax count, in addition to one year of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

Straily will be sentenced in approximately 90 days. The case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rozia McKinney-Foster.

This case serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency in financial dealings. Embezzlement schemes can have devastating effects on businesses and individuals alike. We hope that justice is served in this case and that Straily takes responsibility for her actions.

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