Former School Business Official and Treasurer of the Carterville School District Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Funds from the Carterville School District

Todd Ryan Frazier, 31, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, entered a plea of guilty in federal district court to an indictment charging embezzlement and theft from the Carterville School District—a unit of local government that received federal funds—the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. The offense carries a total statutory maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and mandatory restitution. Sentencing has been scheduled for May 8, 2014.

“Theft from the taxpayers, whether by force and violence, or with a pen, will not be tolerated.” said United States Attorney Wigginton. “In this and all such cases, my office will seek full restitution and will aggressively pursue its collection.”

According to information revealed in court, Frazier, from August 2008 and continuing through February 2012, engaged in a scheme to defraud the Carterville School District, Unit 5, in Williamson County, Illinois, while he was the school business official. This job included the duties and responsibilities to act as the treasurer and payroll officer for the district. In court, the United States indicated that the loss was approximately $114,000 and that restitution should include the costs of audits conducted in ascertaining the loss amount. Although Frazier pled guilty to one count of a multiple-count indictment, his conduct in the remaining counts is considered as relevant conduct by the court in determining the appropriate sentence to impose.

The successful prosecution is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman R. Smith.