Staunton Woman Sentenced on Wire Fraud Charges

LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA – A Staunton, Va. woman, who worked as a financial advisor for a Staunton-based branch of a national bank chain, who previously pled guilty to wire fraud charges, was sentenced today in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Lynchburg.

Kirsten Flynn Hawkins, 45, of Staunton, Va., previously waived her right to be indicted and pled guilty to a three count Information charging her with three separate counts of wire fraud. Today in District Court, Hawkins was sentenced to 41 months of federal incarceration. In addition, she was ordered to pay her victims approximately $472,000 in restitution.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Bubar, Hawkins worked as a financial advisor for an unnamed bank. During that time, between August 2011 and August 2014, the defendant devised a scheme to defraud and obtain money though false representations and promises.

Evidence showed that it was the purpose of the scheme for Hawkins to take control of “Victim One’s” various bank and investment accounts, which were located in the bank. At various times between 2011 and 2014 and on the three separate occasions charged, Hawkins caused money to be transferred from the accounts of Victim One to her personal banking accounts. The funds were used to pay various living expenses, utilities, rent, travel, jewelry, clothing, eating out and to provide other economic benefit for herself and her family.

The investigation of the case was conducted by United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Bubar is prosecuting the case for the United States.