Springfield, Illinois Woman Sentenced to 12 Months and One Day For Wire Fraud
In a recent case of wire fraud, Bridget Hansen, a woman from Springfield, Illinois, has been sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison. The sentencing was carried out by Senior United States District Court judge Sue E. Myerscough on October 23, 2023. Hansen was found guilty of defrauding her employer, Our Redeemer Day Care, by transferring funds from the business’s bank accounts to her own. She also wrote checks to herself or cash, using the money for personal expenses. As a result, she stole over $45,000, causing financial hardships for the day care and potentially jeopardizing its ability to secure grants and resources for the children under its care. The penalties for wire fraud can be severe, with potential imprisonment, fines, and supervised release. This case serves as a reminder of the consequences that can result from abusing positions of trust and engaging in fraudulent activities.
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Overview
This comprehensive article provides an overview of the sentencing and details surrounding the wire fraud case involving Bridget Hansen. It covers the background of the case, Hansen’s personal information, the nature of the wire fraud offense, the investigation and indictment, the plea and trial, the sentencing by Judge Myerscough, the impact on Our Redeemer Day Care, the statutory penalties for wire fraud, and information about the investigating agency and prosecutor. It also includes a section on related cases to provide additional context.
Background of the case
Bridget Hansen, a Springfield, Illinois woman, was sentenced on October 23, 2023, for wire fraud. Hansen, who was employed as the director of Our Redeemer Day Care in Jacksonville, Illinois, was indicted in October 2020 for her involvement in a scheme to defraud the day care. As part of her sentence, Hansen was ordered to serve 12 months and one day in prison and pay a total of $45,894.53 in restitution.
Sentencing details
The sentencing was conducted by Senior United States District Court judge Sue E. Myerscough. During the hearing, it was revealed that Hansen abused her position of trust at Our Redeemer Day Care and caused significant financial hardships for the organization. In addition to the prison sentence, Hansen was ordered to pay restitution for the amount she stole from the day care. The sentencing not only aimed to hold Hansen accountable for her actions but also to highlight the consequences of her fraudulent activities on the day care’s operations.
The Defendant
Bridget Hansen’s personal information
Bridget Hansen, 40 years old, resides in the 3600 block of Lancaster Road in Springfield, Illinois. She was employed as the director of Our Redeemer Day Care in Jacksonville, Illinois at the time of the wire fraud offense.
Address and employment details
Hansen’s address is listed as the 3600 block of Lancaster Road in Springfield, Illinois. She was employed as the director of Our Redeemer Day Care in Jacksonville, Illinois during the period of the wire fraud scheme.
The Offense
Nature of the wire fraud
Hansen’s wire fraud offense involved transferring money from Our Redeemer Day Care’s bank accounts to her own accounts and writing checks from the day care’s accounts for personal expenses. By engaging in these activities, she defrauded the day care and caused significant financial loss.
Scheme to defraud the day care
Hansen devised a scheme to defraud Our Redeemer Day Care by misappropriating funds for personal use. Through unauthorized transfers and check writing, she unlawfully obtained over $45,000 from the day care’s accounts. This caused the organization to face financial difficulties and contemplate the closure of the facility.
Investigation and Indictment
October 2020: Indictment against Hansen
In October 2020, Bridget Hansen was indicted for wire fraud after an investigation into her activities at Our Redeemer Day Care. The indictment outlined the charges against her and marked the beginning of the legal proceedings.
Investigation by the Jacksonville Police Department
The investigation into Bridget Hansen’s wire fraud activities was conducted by the Jacksonville Police Department. They collected evidence and worked closely with the Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Z. Weir, who was responsible for prosecuting the case.
Plea and Trial
January 2023: Hansen pleads guilty
In January 2023, Bridget Hansen pleaded guilty to the wire fraud charges brought against her. By pleading guilty, Hansen admitted her guilt and avoided a trial. This plea allowed for a streamlined resolution to the case and contributed to the efficiency of the criminal justice system.
Court proceedings and trial details
As a result of Hansen’s guilty plea, a trial was not conducted in this case. The guilty plea indicated her acknowledgment of the charges and facilitated the sentencing process. The court proceedings involved the presentation of evidence, legal arguments, and the opportunity for both the prosecution and defense to present their case.
Sentencing
October 23, 2023: Sentencing by Judge Myerscough
On October 23, 2023, Senior United States District Court judge Sue E. Myerscough handed down the sentence for Bridget Hansen. She took into consideration the significant financial impact Hansen’s actions had on Our Redeemer Day Care and the need to hold her accountable for her fraudulent activities.
Length of the sentence and restitution order
Hansen was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for her wire fraud offense. In addition to the prison sentence, she was also ordered to pay a total of $45,894.53 in restitution. This restitution aims to reimburse Our Redeemer Day Care for the financial loss incurred as a result of Hansen’s actions.
Impact on Our Redeemer Day Care
Financial hardships faced by the day care
The wire fraud committed by Bridget Hansen had severe financial implications for Our Redeemer Day Care. The theft of over $45,000 caused the organization to struggle financially and forced them to make cutbacks to the services they could offer. The financial hardships experienced by the day care as a result of Hansen’s actions had a direct impact on the children in their care and the quality of the programs provided.
Negative consequences on grants and resources
In addition to the internal financial challenges, Our Redeemer Day Care faced negative consequences in their ability to obtain grants and other resources that would enhance their programs. The fraudulent activities of Bridget Hansen damaged the day care’s reputation and credibility, making it more difficult for them to secure external funding and support. This further hindered their ability to provide comprehensive care and programming for the children they served.
Statutory Penalties for Wire Fraud
Imprisonment, fines, supervised release, and special assessment
The statutory penalties for wire fraud, as outlined by the court, include up to 20 years of imprisonment, fines up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. These penalties serve as a deterrent and punishment for those who engage in wire fraud and aim to hold defendants accountable for their actions.
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Investigating Agency and Prosecutor
Jacksonville Police Department
The investigation into Bridget Hansen’s wire fraud activities was led by the Jacksonville Police Department. Their diligent work, evidence collection, and cooperation with the Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Z. Weir were instrumental in building the case against Hansen.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Z. Weir
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Z. Weir played a significant role in the prosecution of Bridget Hansen. He represented the government’s interests throughout the legal proceedings and presented the evidence against Hansen. Weir’s expertise in handling wire fraud cases and dedication to justice were crucial in ensuring a fair and thorough prosecution.
Related Cases
Pere Marquette Developers Convicted of Mail Fraud, Money Laundering, and Bankruptcy Charges
In a related case, Pere Marquette Hotel developers Gary E. Matthews and others were convicted of mail fraud, money laundering, and bankruptcy charges. The guilty verdicts were delivered after a trial, highlighting the seriousness of their fraudulent activities and the legal consequences they faced.
Peoria, Illinois, Man Sentenced to Three Years of Probation for Paycheck Protection Program Fraud
Another related case involved a Peoria, Illinois, man named Andre K. Johnson. Johnson was sentenced to three years of probation for making false statements related to the federal Paycheck Protection Program. This case demonstrates the broad range of fraudulent activities prosecuted by the justice system.
Florida Woman Sentenced to More than 16 Years in Prison for Defrauding An Elderly Galesburg Woman and Others Throughout the United States
Jasmine Annette Bradley, an Orlando, Florida woman, was sentenced to more than 16 years in prison for her role in a conspiracy to defraud and steal from an elderly woman in Galesburg, Illinois, as well as others across the United States. This case underscores the significant impact wire fraud can have on victims and the severity of the penalties imposed on offenders.
In conclusion, Bridget Hansen’s wire fraud case highlights the importance of detecting and prosecuting fraudulent activities. Through the investigation, indictment, plea, trial, and sentencing process, the justice system aims to hold individuals accountable for their actions and provide restitution to victims. The impact on Our Redeemer Day Care serves as a reminder of the potential financial hardships and negative consequences that wire fraud offenses can have on organizations and the communities they serve.
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I'm Jesse, a retired Infantry Paratrooper and I am the mind behind Grimy Times - your portal to the darkest, grittiest news stories spanning the globe. I bring you the most unearthed stories, guaranteeing authenticity without sugarcoating. From shadowy urban alleys to the most remote corners of our planet, my coverage knows no bounds.