A Hartford woman has been charged with a multi-million-dollar wire fraud and money laundering scheme, prosecutors announced.
Vicki Berka, 61, was charged with two counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, and two counts of money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1957.
According to the indictment, Berka devised a scheme to defraud a Milwaukee business for which she served as Chief Financial Officer. The scheme began in approximately July 2014 and continued through at least September 26, 2017.
Prosecutors allege that Berka used her position and bank account login credentials to embezzle approximately $2.7 million from Bader Rutter & Associates, a Milwaukee business.
The indictment alleges that Berka used her authority to initiate numerous ACH transfers from Bader’s corporate accounts into a bank account she controlled and then made false entries in Bader’s general ledger to disguise her embezzlement.
If convicted of wire fraud, Berka would face a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison for each count. If convicted of unlawful monetary transactions, Berka would face a maximum sentence of ten years in prison for each count.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter Smyczek.
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- Sandra Stiner, Wire Fraud Aggravated Identity Theft, WI 2023 · Wisconsin
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- Crystal Austin, Wire Fraud Conspiracy, MO 2023 · Wisconsin
Key Facts
- State: Wisconsin
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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