Wendy Weikal-Beauchat, Wire Fraud and Money Laundering, Pennsylvania 2024

Gettysburg Attorney Pleads Guilty to $3 Million Scheme

A former Gettysburg law firm attorney has admitted to defrauding her clients of over $3 million. Wendy Weikal-Beauchat, 46, of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering before U.S. District Court Judge John E. Jones, III.

According to U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smith, Weikal-Beauchat was charged earlier this month with misappropriating client funds to pay for her business and personal expenses from 2007 through 2013. She concealed her actions by providing clients with bogus Certificates of Deposit and IRS 1099 Interest Forms.

The investigation, conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, and the FBI, is continuing in an effort to identify other clients who may have been victimized by her scheme.

Weikal-Beauchat's scheme has left numerous clients financially devastated. The maximum penalty under the federal statute is 30 years' imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, a forfeiture, and a fine. The Judge will consider the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines when imposing a sentence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph J. Terz and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Sinnett from the Adams County District Attorney's Office are prosecuting the case.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of due diligence when selecting an attorney. It is essential for clients to conduct thorough research and review a lawyer's credentials before entrusting them with their financial well-being.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr/gettysburg-attorney-pleads-guilty-defrauding-clients-over