Westwego Woman Sentenced for Conspiring to Commit Bank Fraud

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that CYNTHIA HEFLER, age 67, of Westwego, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to a one-count Bill of Information for conspiring to commit bank fraud.

U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt sentenced HEFLER to 5 years of probation and ordered her to pay $16,851 in restitution.

According to court documents, HEFLER, worked as the office manager for A & H Armature Works, Inc.  In her capacity as office manager, HEFLER handled the company’s accounts receivable and embezzled from the company business bank accounts at First American Bank.  HEFLER conspired with another person to steal the company’s funds in order to help pay off her credit card debt accrued through gambling.

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, New Orleans Field Division and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Loan A "Mimi" Nguyen.