A former bookkeeper from Crowley ripped off her employer for nearly $150,000, funneling company cash into accounts she controlled while hiding behind coworkers’ names. Otavia L. Lewis, 38, admitted in federal court Wednesday to a calculated theft spree that gutted the finances of a local equipment company.
Lewis, of Crowley, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of wire fraud for stealing $148,753.28. From March 2014 to May 2016, she worked as a bookkeeper and exploited her access to accounting software, authorizing illicit transfers from the company’s bank account to cards and accounts tied to her and associates.
Internal records show Lewis didn’t just take the money—she covered her tracks. By attributing fraudulent payments to other employees, she masked her thefts for months, warping financial reports and delaying detection. The scheme unraveled when discrepancies became too glaring to ignore.
The U.S. Secret Service launched a forensic probe, following digital footprints in the accounting system that led straight back to Lewis. Investigators confirmed she used her position to manipulate records and enrich herself while the business suffered unexplained losses.
Lewis now faces up to 20 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for August 5, 2019, in Alexandria federal court.
Assistant U.S. Attorney T. Forrest Phillips is prosecuting the case, underscoring federal resolve in cracking down on financial fraud that targets small businesses. United States Attorney David C. Joseph emphasized that breaches of trust by employees will be met with full legal consequences.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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