Employees Guilty of Stealing $423,000 from Tuition Reimbursement Plan
Four Employees Received Payment for College Classes They Never Took

ATLANTA—MARIAMA STENSON, 37, of Alpharetta, Georgia, pleaded guilty today, and TIFFANY PARKER, 31, NATALIE CLARK, 30, and TABITHEY JOHNSON, 38, also of Alpharetta, Georgia, pleaded guilty earlier this week in federal district court to a charge of wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud their employer, Exide Technologies, in Alpharetta, Georgia.

According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges, and information presented in court: From January 2006 until May 2008, STENSON, PARKER, CLARK, and JOHNSON applied for and received $423,000 in tuition reimbursement from their employer, Exide Technologies, for college classes they never enrolled in, attended, or completed. To accomplish their fraud, they submitted fraudulent transcripts and receipts, which falsely represented that they completed many college courses, and received good grades.

STENSON, PARKER, CLARK, and JOHNSON were indicted in November 2009 on multiple counts of wire fraud. After today’s guilty plea, each could receive a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentence, the court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 7, 2010, at 9:30 a.m., before United States District Judge Thomas W. Thrash, Jr.

This case is being investigated by special agents of the FBI.

Assistant United States Attorney David E. McClernan is prosecuting the case.

For further information please contact Sally Q. Yates, United States Attorney, or Charysse L. Alexander, Executive Assistant United States Attorney, through Patrick Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney's Office, at (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.