Former City of Garland Employee Admits Embezzling $1.9 Million
U.S. Attorney’s Office December 15, 2010 |
DALLAS—Patricia Leathers, a former risk management adjustor for the City of Garland, Texas, pled guilty this morning before Chief U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater to one count of conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. Leathers, 62, of Rowlett, faces a maximum statutory sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and restitution. She is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Fitzwater on March 18, 2011.
According to documents filed in the case, Leathers, who was responsible for investigating and resolving third-party liability claims against the City of Garland, admitted that beginning in January 1994, and continuing to March 2008, she conspired with others to embezzle from the City of Garland by creating false claims for damage and repairs to personal and real property. The false claims totaled more than $1.9 million. The checks, issued in the true names of co-conspirators as well as fictitious names, were cashed by co-conspirators who shared the proceeds with Leathers.
On December 8, 2010, Leathers' sister, Connie M. Powell, 59, of Garland, pled guilty to her role in the conspiracy. She faces a maximum statutory sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and restitution. Sentencing is set for March 2, 2011.
The investigation, which remains ongoing, is being conducted by the FBI, the Garland Police Department, and the Garland Office of the City Attorney and the Garland Office of the Internal Auditor. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Miller is prosecuting.