Lesley Wade, Money Laundering and Filing False Tax Return, Kentucky 2020

FRANKFORT, Ky. – In a shocking turn of events, Lesley Wade, a former employee of the Franklin County Board of Education, has pleaded guilty to money laundering and filing a false tax return. Wade, who served as the FCBOE’s Financial Director, was charged with stealing $1,624,593 from the school board between February 2011 and June 25, 2019.

According to court documents, Wade wrote unauthorized checks to herself from the FCBOE’s account and then falsified records and invoices to cover up her crimes. The investigation revealed that Wade also used her control over the finances of Leestown Gospel Church, where she was Treasurer, to launder the stolen money through the church’s account.

The total amount of tax loss is $315,677, with Wade willfully filing false individual income tax returns for the years 2011-2018. Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, announced the guilty plea, along with James Robert Brown, Jr., Special Agent in Charge for the Louisville Division of FBI, and Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and IRS, with the United States represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James Chapman. Wade is scheduled to be sentenced on September 17, 2020, facing up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $500,000 for the money laundering charge, and up to three years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 for the tax charge.

The charges against Wade are a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in public institutions. The case highlights the need for robust internal controls and oversight to prevent similar crimes from occurring in the future.

The guilty plea is a significant victory for the community, and we hope that it brings closure to the victims of Wade’s crimes. The Grimy Times will continue to monitor the case and provide updates as more information becomes available.

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