Former Broker Charged with Multiple Counts of Wire Fraud

United States Attorney James Santelle of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that on November 5, 2013, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Lisa A. Lewis (age 48) of Green Bay, Wisconsin, charging her with five counts of wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. Section 1343. If convicted, Lewis faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release on each count.

The indictment alleges that Lewis, a former financial broker, represented herself as an account representative and persuaded approximately 13 elderly investors to create an individual investment account. Generally, the scheme to defraud included Lewis then creating a joint account under her name and that of a victim-most often unbeknownst to the victim. Without authorization, Lewis then transferred funds from the victim’s individual account to the joint account and then to one of Lewis’ personal accounts where she used the funds for personal expenses unrelated to the victim’s financial interest. Such unauthorized expenditures of victim funds included the purchase of a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro. The indictment alleges that Lewis’ fraud scheme resulted in her obtaining funds in excess of $1,000,000.

On November 6, 2013, Lewis appeared before the Honorable William C. Griesbach, District Court Judge. Lewis was taken into custody and is being held at the Brown County Jail. Her next court date is set for November 8, 2013. A trial date has been scheduled for January 13, 2014.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Brown County Sheriff’s Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Roach.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.