Former Bookkeeper and Associate Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling More Than $1 Million from Fresno Business

FRESNO, Calif. — U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd sentenced Brandi Marshall, 41, of Fresno to four years and three months in prison, and Daniel Barrios Jr., 37, of Fresno to two years and seven months in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud and conspiracy to launder money in connection with their embezzlement of money from a Fresno business, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Marshall was employed as the company’s bookkeeper between October 2014 and March 2016 and was responsible for, among other things, receiving and depositing checks from customers to pay their invoices. During that time, she and Barrios misappropriated more than 100 checks and fraudulently deposited them into Barrios’ personal bank account. Marshall and Barrios used money derived from the fraudulently deposited checks for personal purchases, including more than $35,000 to purchase and accessorize a 2016 Ford Mustang GT, and more than $25,000 to purchase a 2012 Dodge Challenger. Marshall created fictitious entries in the company’s computer accounting application to attempt to conceal the embezzlement. Together, Marshall and Barrios embezzled more than $1 million and were ordered by the court to pay restitution.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher D. Baker prosecuted the case.