Waycross Woman Charged with Embezzlement of Over $600,000 from Local Company

WAYCROSS, GA—CASSANDRA LYNN URSREY, 51, of Waycross, Georgia, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft in connection with her alleged embezzlement of more than $600,000 from her employer, CMH Manufacturing, Inc. d/b/a Clayton-Waycross (“Clayton”).

The indictment charges that Ursrey, in her capacity as a payroll coordinator for Clayton, created false time entries for over 750 former Clayton employees, collected more than 2,000 payroll checks in those employees’ names, and falsely endorsed and cashed those checks to her own personal benefit. Her scheme is alleged to have stretched over a seven-year period, from 2003 to 2010.

United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver said, “The Government alleges that this defendant abused her employer’s trust to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars. Clayton is a national company actively engaged in doing business and creating jobs in the Southern District of Georgia. Financial fraud of this magnitude adds to the devastation felt by communities during times of economic hardship. During this period when so many Americans are looking for work, we will continue to be vigilant in our efforts to combat this kind of financial fraud.”

Ursrey faces a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment on the mail and wire fraud counts of the indictment, and consecutive two-year terms of imprisonment on the counts of aggravated identity theft. In addition, she is subject to fines of up to $250,000 on each count.

The indictment arises out of an investigation led by Special Agent Mark A. Alig of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Forensic Auditor Karen Hartley of the United States Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney R. Brian Tanner is prosecuting the case for the United States. For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.