Marshalltown Man Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud Charge

DES MOINES, IA—On June 25, 2013, Michael James Allison, age 48, of Marshalltown, Iowa, pled guilty to mail fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud his employer through the mailing of fraudulent expense reports for reimbursement, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt.

According to the written plea agreement, Michael Allison, while in his position as chief financial officer and director of finance of a regional subsidiary of Airgas Incorporated, with headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, mailed falsified expense reports to the region’s accounting office. Allison categorized personal expenses as business expenses and fabricated expenses on the reports. In one instance, Allison claimed he was entitled to approximately $9,000 in reimbursements for Ryder Cup golf tickets and expenses, when the tickets were for his personal use. From 2003-2012, Allison obtained at least $300,000 as a result of his scheme.

Michael Allison will be sentenced on October 9, 2013, before the Honorable John A. Jarvey.

Mail fraud is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, following a referral from Airgas Inc. and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.