Executor of Estate Pleads Guilty To Fraud in Sale of Condo

TOPEKA, KAN. B A Wabaunsee County woman who was the executor of her mother’s estate pleaded guilty Monday to fraud in the sale a South Padre Island condo, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.

Julie D. Woodland, 55, Maple Hill, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation of funds obtained by fraud. In her plea, she admitted she served as trustee of trusts set up by her parents, Stephen W. Dibble and Elaine R. Dibble. It was her parents’ intent that proceeds of the trusts be shared equally among Woodland and her siblings, Lance A. Dibble and Stan Dibble. Woodland also was executor of her mother’s estate.

Woodland sold a condo in Texas belonging to the trust for $270,000. She distributed half the proceeds to her brother, Stan Dibble, and she kept the rest. Her brother, Lance Dibble, requested an accounting of the trust funds, but she refused to provide the information.

Sentencing is set for May 8. She faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Beall commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rich Hathaway for their work on the case.