KaShaun Perkins, Wire Fraud, Maryland 2017

Washington D.C. – A brazen case of embezzlement has come to light, with a former payroll specialist pleading guilty to wire fraud. KaShaun Perkins, 43, of Upper Marlboro, Md., admitted to embezzling $275,000 from his employer, a global consulting firm.

According to court documents, Perkins worked as a payroll specialist from December 2014 to July 2015. During this time, he managed external payroll provider services, ensuring employees’ salaries were accurately and timely processed for payments. Perkins also updated the payroll and human resources information systems, maintaining employee records.

However, Perkins’ duties took a sinister turn when he began causing his employer to pay out approximately $275,000 in bogus salary and tax withholding payments for ‘ghost’ employees. He altered a terminated employee’s payroll profile, changing entries such as name, Social Security number, bank account number, address, and salary payments. None of the altered data corresponded to an actual employee.

Through these changes to the payroll system, Perkins caused the unauthorized salary payments to be directly deposited into accounts in his name, accounts with his joint ownership, and accounts under his control. By directing the payroll provider service to make these payments, Perkins obtained ‘salary’ payments of ‘ghost’ employees totaling $249,096. The employer paid an additional $26,092 in tax withholdings, for a total loss of $275,188.

U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips commended the work of Forensic Accountant Jean Luc Guerrier, Paralegal Specialist Christopher Toms, Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Lucas, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Virginia Cheatham for their role in bringing this case to justice.

Perkins is set to be sentenced on April 21, 2017, by the Honorable Christopher R. Cooper. Under the advisory federal sentencing guidelines, he faces a possible prison sentence of 21 to 27 months. Perkins also agreed to pay $249,096 in restitution, and a forfeiture money judgment in the same amount.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of embezzlement and the importance of accountability in the workplace.

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