Related Federal Cases
Nevada Woman Sentenced for Embezzlement Scandal
In a shocking case of corporate theft, Patricia Culbertson, 52, of Nevada, Mo., has been sentenced to two years in federal prison without parole for her role in a brazen bank fraud scheme that netted her over $336,000 from her employer, Barrington Manufacturing Corporation.
Culbertson, a bookkeeper for the company from June 2009 until her suspension on June 24, 2014, forged the company owner’s signature on checks from the company’s bank account without authorization in order to cover her gambling debts and personal expenses. Over the course of four years, she stole the identity of various company officials, forged their signatures, and wrote unauthorized checks on the company’s operating account and a separate account created to provide financial assistance to her fellow employees.
The checks were either deposited into Culbertson’s personal bank account, the bank accounts of her mother and son, or the bank account of her company, PC Tech. Culbertson’s scheme continued even after she realized her fraud had been discovered, with agents observing her destroying and stealing financial documents in an effort to conceal the true scope of her crimes.
As a result of her actions, Culbertson was ordered to pay $412,022 in restitution to the business and to the government. She also faces a total tax loss to the federal government of $60,431 and a total tax loss to the state of Missouri of $14,754.
Culbertson pleaded guilty to bank fraud and filing a false tax return on December 4, 2014. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney and investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the El Dorado Springs, Mo., Police Department.
The case is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of corporate theft and the importance of transparency and accountability in the workplace. As one expert noted, ‘This case highlights the need for businesses to implement robust internal controls and risk management strategies to prevent such schemes from occurring in the first place.’
Culbertson’s sentencing is a significant victory for the victims of her crimes and a testament to the dedication of law enforcement agencies in bringing corporate thieves to justice.
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
