Bank Vice President and Senior Business Director Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud Scheme

TAMPA—United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill announces today that Susan Emily Jones (50, Lutz) pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Jones faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. As part of her plea agreement, Jones has agreed to a money judgment of $824,301.57, representing the proceeds of her criminal conduct.

According to the plea agreement, Jones served as vice president and senior business director of Citicorp Services Inc. and managed its employees and operations during the relevant time period. From November 13, 2003, through January 5, 2010, in Tampa, Jones falsely and fraudulently led Citicorp Services Inc. employees to believe that she was authorized to make certain expenditures of Citicorp Services Inc. funds. She misappropriated the funds for her personal enrichment, including paying for season tickets to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, personal credit card and auto-related expenses, charitable contributions, prepaid debit cards, travel, and other personal expenses. In addition, Jones caused the unauthorized transfer of funds from the Citibank,N.A. reserve account to the Citicorp Services Inc. account. In sum, she caused the transmission of wires in interstate commerce and bypassed Citicorp Services Inc.’s and Citibank N.A.’s internal controls for business and travel and entertainment expenses. In so doing, she misappropriated $824,301.57.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachelle DesVaux Bedke.