Former Employee of Charitable Organization Pleads Guilty to Stealing Over $140,000 in Funds

            WASHINGTON- Floyd L. Middleton, 47, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty today to a federal charge stemming from the theft of over $140,000 from a religious charity where he worked in an administrative capacity, announced U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips and Paul M. Abbate, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office.

            Middleton pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to a charge of interstate transportation of stolen property. The charge carries a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison and potential financial penalties. Under federal sentencing guidelines, Middleton faces a likely range of 15 to 21 months in prison and a fine of up to $30,000. The plea agreement also calls for Middleton to pay $142,484 in restitution. The Honorable Christopher R. Cooper scheduled sentencing for Oct. 12, 2016.

            According to the government’s evidence, the scheme took place between February 2009 and October 2014, when Middleton was employed by an organization referred to in court documents as “Charity A,” a religious charity. During this period, Middleton embezzled $142,484 in funds through false representations and invoices. For example, he established the property management company that managed the apartment building where he resided in the charity’s computer system as a legitimate vendor. He then submitted false invoices leading to payments to that property management company for his personal benefit. Middleton also made false representations to secure reimbursement for personal funds that he never expended.

            In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Phillips and Assistant Director in Charge Abbate commended the work of those who investigated the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Angela Lawrence and Assistant U.S. Attorney Muyiwa Bamiduro, who is prosecuting the matter.