Helen Benevides Mora Picaso, Embezzlement, Texas 2016
Crime Pays, But Not For Helen Benevides Mora Picaso
A San Antonio woman has been sentenced to 20 months in federal prison for embezzling over $450,000 from her employer. Helen Benevides Mora Picaso, 44, was the office manager for a San Antonio businessman and used her position to write 485 unauthorized business checks to herself, her family members, or to pay her personal credit card bills.
Between 2008 and May 2014, Picaso concealed her scheme by making false entries on check stubs with respect to amounts and payees. Her scheme was discovered when she was fired in May 2014.
Picaso pleaded guilty to ten counts of embezzlement on November 9, 2015. As part of her plea agreement, she admitted to stealing monies from her employer.
The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christina Playton. United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr. and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs announced the sentencing.
On top of her prison term, Picaso was ordered to pay $464,132.27 in restitution to her former employer. She will also be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing her prison term. Picaso is required to surrender to federal authorities on or before February 9, 2017, to begin serving her prison term.
In total, Picaso stole monies from her employer by writing unauthorized business checks to herself, her family members, or to pay her personal credit card bills. Her scheme was extensive and lasted for over six years.
The sentencing of Picaso serves as a reminder that embezzlement is a serious crime that can have severe consequences. It is a breach of trust and a betrayal of the public's trust in business leaders.
Defendant: Helen Benevides Mora Picaso
Criminal Charges: Ten counts of embezzlement
City and State: San Antonio, Texas
Exact Date: February 9, 2017 (surrender date), November 9, 2015 (plea date), 2008-2014 (crime date)
Sentence: 20 months in federal prison
Dollar Amounts: $464,132.27 in restitution
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →