Lynn M. Morris, Embezzlement, California 2019
A former paralegal specialist for the San Diego Division of the FBI has been sentenced to 24 months in prison for embezzling nearly $250,000 in government funds.
Lynn M. Morris, 56, of San Diego, California, pleaded guilty on March 7 to one count of embezzlement of government property.
U.S. District Court Judge Larry Alan Burns ordered Morris to pay $278,000 in restitution in addition to the prison term.
"Lynn Morris capitalized on her position at the FBI to line her own pockets with stolen government funds," said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski.
"This conviction demonstrates the Department of Justice's commitment to investigating and prosecuting government employees who abuse their authority.
"Individuals who violate the public trust will be held accountable," Benczkowski added.
Between July 2014 and November 2016, Morris embezzled approximately $159,821.90 that belonged to the United States and converted the funds for her own personal use.
The funds were held in an account owned by the FBI San Diego Division's Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), where Morris was a paralegal specialist and the AFU's designated coordinator.
The court found that Morris also embezzled $92,010.92 from an additional AFU account and stole $26,351.10 from FBI evidence rooms.
Morris admitted that to convert government funds to her own use, she used her knowledge and position within the FBI to withdraw cash from the AFU's account undetected and deposited portions of the stolen proceeds into her personal checking account.
This case was investigated by the Office of the Inspector General, with assistance from the FBI San Diego Division.
Trial Attorneys Marco A. Palmieri and Jessica C. Harvey of the Criminal Division's Public Integrity Section prosecuted the case.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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