Office Manager to Pullman Urologist Pleads Guilty to Half-Million-Dollar Mail and Bank Fraud Scheme

SPOKANE—Today, Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Alicia Eunice Napier, age 47, of Colfax, Washington, pleaded guilty to 14 counts of mail fraud and two counts of bank fraud. A sentencing hearing has been set for September 1, 2011, at 1:30 p.m., in Spokane.

From 2001 through 2009, Alicia Napier embezzled over half a million dollars from Palouse Urology, a family-owned urology practice in Pullman, Washington. At her change of plea hearing today, Alicia Napier admitted to diverting Palouse Urology’s business checks to pay her personal bills and to using the business’ credit cards for her personal purchases, while she was the office manager. Her mail and bank fraud scheme went undetected for so long, because she was a trusted employee.

A conviction for mail fraud carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, up to three years of court supervision after release and restitution. A bank fraud conviction carries a penalty of up to 30 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, up to five years of court supervision after release, and restitution. The plea agreement requires that Alicia Napier pay restitution to Palouse Urology, PLLC, in the amount of $538,726.08.

This investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case is being prosecuted by K. Jill Bolton, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.