John Hoffman, Theft by an Employee of an Indian Gaming Establishment, New Mexico 2011

A former employee of the Santa Ana Star Casino in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, has pleaded guilty to embezzling money from the casino.

John Hoffman, 42, entered a guilty plea to the felony offense of theft by an employee of an Indian gaming establishment, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico.

Hoffman’s wife and accomplice, Michelle Fischer, 42, also pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor offense of theft from an Indian gaming establishment.

The embezzlement scheme took place from December 2010 to August 2011, when Hoffman was employed in the Marketing Department of the Santa Ana Star Casino.

According to court documents, Hoffman abused his position at the casino by gaining access to active and inactive ‘Player’s Club’ cards and adding money and credits to the cards without proper basis or authority.

Fischer admitted to obtaining the cards to which she was not entitled from a casino employee and giving them to others who used the cards to gamble, with the understanding that Fischer would receive a percentage of their winnings.

Hoffman and Fischer were released on conditions of release pending their sentencing hearings, which have yet to be scheduled.

At sentencing, Hoffman faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, while Fischer faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison.

RELATED: Air Force Vet Blew Secrets on Dating App

RELATED: Las Vegas Police Officer Sentenced To 12 Years In Prison For Committing Three Casino Robberies

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

White Collar Crime

Birdtail Ii, Wire Fraud, Montana 2008

Jan 15, 2008

White Collar Crime

LaSonja Jones, PPP Loan Fraud, Mississippi 2024

Jun 18, 2024

White Collar Crime

Darrell Smith, Failing to Pay Employment Taxes, Iowa 2017

Dec 20, 2016

White Collar Crime

Kevin Renfro, Money Laundering, Nevada 2005

Jan 15, 2005