Former Bookkeeper of Lafayette Spa Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud Charges
Amount of Money Embezzled Totaled $184,788.88

LAFAYETTE, LA—United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a former bookkeeper for Coccolare Spa, located in Lafayette, Louisiana, pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud charges related to her embezzlement of $184,788.88 from Coccolare Spa.

Angie Normand, age 41, formerly of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, was charged by bill of information on April 4, 2012, for one count of wire fraud. According to court documents filed today, Normand was the bookkeeper at Coccolare Spa and created a scheme whereby she embezzled funds by cashing company checks from Coccolare Spa’s account and subsequently converting a portion of the monies for her own use. Normand also falsely, and without authority, increased her own salary by manipulating her payroll information and wire transferring the inflated payments into her personal bank account. In order to conceal the scheme to defraud, Normand prepared false records, entries, and deposit slips, and altered payroll and tip records.

At the plea hearing, Normand acknowledged that she used and caused others to use interstate wire communications facilities to further her scheme to defraud. The total amount of money embezzled was $184,788.88.

U.S. Attorney Finley stated, “Angie Normand allowed her greed to take over and now she will face serious consequences for her actions. Business owners of this community should know that my office will continue to aggressively prosecute individuals who defraud and embezzle from them.”

At sentencing, this defendant faces a term of imprisonment of not more than 20 years, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than three years. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

The case was investigated by Special Agent James Bayrooty, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel J. McCoy.