Stephen C. Jones, Wire Fraud, Kentucky 2015

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – In a shocking case of corporate deceit, a former Allen County accountant has been brought to justice for his role in a wire fraud scheme that left his former employer out $766,349.59.

Stephen C. Jones, 51, of Scottsville, Kentucky, was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution of $766,349.59, announced United States Attorney Russell M. Coleman.

According to the plea agreement, Jones committed wire fraud between January 2010 and August of 2015, when he devised and executed a scheme to defraud his employer by diverting $766,349.59 from the company’s bank account to his personal bank account. This is a clear case of a trusted employee breaching the trust placed in him by his employer. His actions not only harmed his former employer but also exposed the company to fraudulent tax returns.

But that’s not all – Jones failed to report the embezzled funds as income on his tax returns for tax years 2010 through 2014. This reckless disregard for the law only added to the severity of his crimes.

In total, Jones pleaded guilty to six counts against him, including: wire fraud and five counts of presentation of a false tax return. The seriousness of his crimes cannot be overstated, and his punishment serves as a reminder that corporate deceit will not be tolerated.

Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Gregory prosecuted the case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the Allen County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Their tireless efforts have brought one step closer to justice for all those affected by Jones’ crimes.

The sentence handed down to Jones is a testament to the dedication of law enforcement agencies in Kentucky and their commitment to upholding the law. It is our hope that this case will serve as a warning to others who would seek to engage in similar activities.

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