CHICAGO – Debra A. Schultz, 46, of Lockport, Illinois, has been convicted of brazenly defrauding a not-for-profit organ and tissue donation network out of $652,298. A federal jury delivered the guilty verdict today, exposing a scheme built on false invoices and blatant lies.
Schultz, along with co-defendants Shari L. Hansen and Eric V. Murff, systematically siphoned funds from the organization by submitting bogus invoices for organ and tissue procurement work that was never performed. Hansen, an auditing coordinator within the network, allegedly approved these fraudulent claims, triggering payments directly to Schultz and Murff. The money, investigators say, was then funneled through multiple accounts, with Schultz personally retaining thousands of dollars for her own benefit.
Evidence presented at trial revealed the scheme kicked off no later than March 2008 and continued until at least April 2010. Hansen allegedly created the fraudulent invoices, falsely claiming payment for services rendered by Murff and even Schultz’s son, identified in court documents as Individual A. The deception went further: court records show that Individual A, at the time the fraud began, was a 17-year-old high school student – and not a physician, as the invoices claimed. Murff himself had no medical credentials either.
The prosecution hammered home the point that Hansen, abusing her position, intentionally authorized the payments, directing the organization to cut checks to Murff and Schultz’s son. A portion of the stolen funds were pocketed by Murff and Schultz, while others were transferred into bank accounts held by Hansen, creating a clear pattern of collusion and self-enrichment. This wasn’t just a simple paperwork error; it was a calculated and sustained effort to steal from a vital resource.
Schultz was found guilty on all three counts of wire fraud, a serious federal offense carrying a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison. U.S. District Judge Robert M. Dow Jr. has scheduled a sentencing hearing for May 19, 2017. This conviction sends a clear message: preying on organizations dedicated to saving lives will not be tolerated.
The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Fardon for the Northern District of Illinois, and E.C. Woodson, Postal Inspector-in-Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Chicago. While Schultz faces the most immediate consequences, the investigation remains open, and further charges against Hansen and Murff are likely. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.
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Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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