May 12, 2014

Former Office Manager Pleads Guilty to Forgery and Signing a False Tax Return

OKLAHOMA CITY—Erin Marie Wells, of Yukon, Oklahoma, pled guilty today to check forgery and signing a false federal income tax return, announced Sanford C. Coats, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.

From 2009 until mid-2013, Wells was employed as the office manager of Advanced Electric, located in Oklahoma City. She was responsible for paying the company’s bills, depositing checks into the company bank account, and maintaining the company’s books and records. Today she pled guilty to forging the signature of the company’s owner on a $1,500 check and using the proceeds for her personal benefit. In a plea agreement, she has agreed to pay restitution to the company in the amount of $256,857.76.

In addition to pleading guilty to forgery, Wells has pled guilty to signing a false tax return. She admitted that on January 11, 2013, she signed a personal federal tax return for the 2012 calendar year that she knew was false because it reported only $28,386 in total income, substantially less than the income she actually received.

As a result of her conviction for forgery, Wells faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and mandatory restitution. With respect to the tax conviction, she faces up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing will take place in approximately 90 days. Reference is made to the information and other public filings for further information.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott E. Williams.