Werkau Kenneth, Wire Fraud, West Virginia 2020

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – In a shocking case of corporate theft, Kenneth Werkau, a 63-year-old man from Clarington, Ohio, has admitted to a wire fraud charge in federal court. According to Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard, Werkau, a former associate at Walmart in Moundsville, stole $123,775 in gift cards and activated them without paying for them.

The crime, which took place between September 2019 and January 2020, has left many wondering how Werkau was able to carry out such a large-scale scheme without being detected. As an associate at Walmart, Werkau should have been bound by the company’s strict policies and procedures, but it appears that he found a way to circumvent them.

Werkau’s actions have not only resulted in significant financial losses for Walmart, but also put the company’s reputation at risk. Gift cards are a popular and trusted form of payment, and customers expect them to be secure and reliable.

Werkau faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Dane DeMasi-Lemon is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government, with the FBI investigating. U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided over the case.

The case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability in the workplace. Companies must take steps to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future, and employees must be held accountable for their actions.

Werkau’s admission to the wire fraud charge is a significant blow to his reputation and his future. As he awaits sentencing, he will be facing the consequences of his actions and will have to come to terms with the harm he has caused.

In the end, this case serves as a warning to all employees: honesty and integrity are essential in the workplace, and violating these principles can have serious consequences.

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