Local Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement and Tax Charges

St. Louis, MO – ANASTASIA GRZESKOWIAK pled guilty today to embezzling $2.9 million from the account of a disabled individual whose financial affairs she was entrusted with managing.

According to court documents, beginning in 2000, an individual with whom Grzeskowiak was previously acquainted developed a blinding eye disease that significantly impaired his vision and ability to read and thus to manage his own financial affairs. In June 2003, that individual asked Grzeskowiak to assist him in paying his personal bills, which she did until April 2013.

Between June 2006 and continuing through April 2013, Grzeskowiak, forged her victim’s signature on more than 800 checks which she made out to herself, endorsed and used to pay her personal expenses, the expenses of others and to gamble. In total, she obtained approximately $2,918,090 from the victim without his authorization.

Additionally, Grzeskowiak filed false tax returns for 2010 through 2012, understating her gross income from the illegal activity described above, resulting in a tax loss of $506,496.

Grzeskowiak, St. Charles, MO, pled guilty to one felony count of wire fraud and three felony counts of filing false tax returns.  She appeared before United States District Judge Carol E. Jackson. Sentencing has been set for April 20, 2016.

Wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000; each of the tax charges carry a maximum penalty of 3 years in prison and/or fines up to $100,000.  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 and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Richard Finneran is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.