Accounting Manager of Local Business Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement

ST. LOUIS—The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that Tammeria Patrick pled guilty involving the embezzlement of approximately $170,000 between January 2008 and July 2009.

According to the facts filed with the court, Patrick was employed as payroll and accounts Receivables manager at Urban Investigation Security (UIS) in Ferguson, MO. UIS used Automatic Data Processing (ADP) for their payroll processing. On some occasions Patrick caused the checks to be made payable to herself, representing these checks to be for salaries. Those checks total approximately $157,537. Some of the monies taken by fraud were used in online bank transfer to pay her personal expenses, including car payment and personal credit card bills. She directed that health insurance premiums totaling $3,087 be paid for an employee who was not entitled to receive benefits. Finally, Patrick opened up a UIS business credit card and used it to purchase goods and services totaling $9,433 that were not authorized by her employer.

TAMMERIA PATRICK, Florissant, MO, pled guilty to one felony count of wire fraud before United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig. Sentencing has been set for September 20, 2011.

Wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. First Assistant United States Attorney Michael Reap is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.