TULSA, Okla. – Leslie Ellen Mansfield, 61, of Tulsa, will spend the next 18 months behind bars after being sentenced today for a cold-blooded scheme to pilfer funds from some of the most vulnerable members of society. U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell delivered the sentence, ordering Mansfield to serve 18 months imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release. The judge didn’t stop there, also demanding $137,240.95 in restitution to cover the damages inflicted on her victims.
Court records paint a picture of calculated betrayal. Mansfield, a licensed attorney in both New Mexico and Oklahoma, was appointed trustee of supplemental needs trust (SNT) accounts in 2011, managing funds for five adults living with intellectual disabilities. These accounts weren’t for lavish spending; they were specifically designed to safeguard clients’ crucial Medicaid and Social Security disability benefits. Mansfield had a solemn duty to use those funds solely for their benefit – things like accessible transportation, clothing, enriching activities like dance lessons and Special Olympics participation, and even pre-funding final expenses.
But between December 2011 and November 2017, Mansfield treated those SNT accounts like her personal piggy bank. She systematically withdrew funds for her own personal use, leaving her clients shortchanged and jeopardizing their well-being. The scheme wasn’t impulsive; Mansfield actively tried to cover her tracks by doctoring bank statements, attempting to obscure the trail of her embezzlement. The callousness of the crime extends beyond the financial loss – one victim actually lost critical Medicaid benefits because Mansfield neglected to submit necessary paperwork on their behalf.
The FBI led the investigation, digging into the financial records and uncovering the extent of Mansfield’s deceit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vani Singhal relentlessly prosecuted the case, ensuring Mansfield faced justice for her actions. The details revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse of trust, where an officer of the court exploited the vulnerability of those she was sworn to protect.
Mansfield was allowed to remain free on bond, but has been ordered to voluntarily surrender to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons to begin serving her sentence. While 18 months is a start, it barely scratches the surface of the damage she inflicted. The restitution order, while significant, won’t fully restore what was stolen from these individuals, who rely on these funds for basic necessities and a semblance of independence.
This case serves as a stark reminder that even those in positions of power and trust are not above the law. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and hold accountable those who prey on the vulnerable. The pursuit of justice doesn’t end with a sentence; it demands full accountability and a commitment to preventing similar abuses in the future.
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- Tulsa Woman Admits Stealing $1K+ in Social Security Funds · Oklahoma
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Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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