Former Employee Pleads Guilty To Federal Charge In $44,000 Theft From Non-Profit-Defendant Used Employer’s Credit Card For Personal Expenses-

     WASHINGTON - Thomas Webb, 33, of Hyattsville, Md., pled guilty today toa federal charge stemming from the theft of more than $44,000 from a non-profit organization where he worked as an administrative assistant, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

     Webb pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to one count of interstate transportation of stolen property.  The Honorable James E. Boasberg scheduled sentencing for June 26, 2014. Under federal sentencing guidelines, Webb faces a likely range of six to 12 months of incarceration, as well as a fine of up to $20,000.  Under the plea agreement, Webb must pay restitution to the non-profit. He also is subject to a forfeiture money judgment.

     According to the government’s evidence, the not-for-profit organization, identified in court documents as “Company A,” provides financial assistance to underinsured patients being treated for chronic or life-threatening illnesses who are unable to afford the full cost of care.  Webb began working as an administrative assistant there in or around January 2013.  

     Webb was responsible for processing financial transactions, including reimbursing employees for work-related expenses.  In connection with these duties, the non-profit granted Webb access to its bank account and its general ledger information systems.  Almost immediately after hiring him, the non-profit issued Webb a company credit card.  

     Beginning in February 2013, Webb began using his company-issued credit card for personal expenses, in spite of his employer’s explicit policies against such use.  Between February and July of 2013, Webb generated a total amount of $44,457 in personal expenses on the credit card, including personal expenses related to travel, transportation, hotel lodgings, retail purchases, meals, food, and entertainment.  Webb paid the monthly balances of his company-issued credit card directly from the non-profit’s bank account. He never made any attempt to reimburse the non-profit for any of the personal expenditures.

     In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Donna Galindo, Corinne Kleinman, and Angela Lawrence; Criminal Investigator Juan Juarez, who investigated the case; Assistant U.S. Attorney Zia Faruqui, who assisted with forfeiture issues, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard DiZinno, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.