Ex-Controller Tweedie Extradited From Scotland in $165K Fraud

ST. LOUIS – A woman accused of systematically looting a St. Louis-area publishing company has finally landed stateside to face the music. Sarah Lynn Tweedie, 49, was extradited from Scotland this week and appeared in court Tuesday, pleading not guilty to charges stemming from a brazen $165,000 embezzlement scheme.

Tweedie was initially indicted on June 21, 2018, in U.S. District Court, facing three counts of mail fraud, five counts of wire fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. The indictment details how, as controller for the publishing firm, Tweedie had full control of payroll, expense reimbursements, and company credit cards – a position she allegedly exploited with calculated precision.

Between July and January 2018, Tweedie allegedly engaged in a multi-pronged theft. She racked up $138,137 in fraudulent purchases using both a company credit card and one belonging to a former employee. The spending spree wasn’t limited to office supplies; Tweedie reportedly treated herself to a Scottish kilt and a $1,239 upgrade to a premium seat on her flight from Chicago to Glasgow, foreshadowing her planned escape. She also diverted $6,400 into Amazon gift cards, and boosted her salary from $80,000 to $110,000, all while falsely claiming $16,086 in expense reimbursements.

Court documents reveal a carefully constructed plan. Tweedie began a long-distance relationship with a Scottish man in 2015, becoming engaged in March 2017, just before starting her job at the publishing company. In December 2017, she spun a tale of her fiancé being injured in a car accident, using it as a pretext to request leave. But the story was a lie. Tweedie had already secured a visa to live in Scotland and had no intention of returning. She was arrested in Scotland on July 9, 2019, and subsequently fought extradition for years, until her final appeal was denied in March.

U.S. Marshals escorted Tweedie back to St. Louis, where she now awaits trial. Formerly known as Sarah Jauregui, she maintains her innocence. It’s crucial to remember that the charges outlined in the indictment are merely accusations, and Tweedie is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The investigation was a joint effort by the Florissant Police Department and the FBI, with crucial assistance from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and Scottish authorities.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Bateman is leading the prosecution. This case serves as a stark reminder that even attempts to flee the country won’t shield perpetrators of financial crimes from facing justice. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds.