A federal grand jury has indicted an Alcester woman for ten counts of wire fraud. 56-year old Michelle Warner appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on May 18th and pleaded not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine. Restitution may also be ordered.
The indictment alleges that beginning on or about June 1, 2018, and continuing through May 17, 2022, Warner, who was employed as a bookkeeper/accountant, and later as a business administrator, devised and intended to devise a scheme to defraud and obtain money and property from others by means of false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises. The indictment alleges that Warner, in her capacity as bookkeeper/accountant and business administrator, falsely and fraudulently paid herself additional and unauthorized payroll payments and then used the funds for her own purposes. Warner also caused her employer to remit payroll tax to the Internal Revenue Service on her behalf. Additionally, Warner used her employer’s credit card without authority for her own personal use.
Warner was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.