UNITED STATES ATTORNEY JOYCE WHITE VANCE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT: STACY CRANE
	JULY 1, 2009			PHONE: (205) 244-2001
	www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln			FAX: (205) 244-2171

                            OPELIKA WOMAN AND REMLAP WOMAN INDICTED FOR THEFT OF GOVERNMENT MONEY

            BIRMINGHAM, AL.- DEBORAH BARNETT, 55, of Opelika, and DEIDRE STANLEY, 38, of Remlap, were indicted today on one count of theft of Government money.  The indictment is announced today by United States Attorney, Joyce White Vance, and Richard L. Walker, Special Agent in Charge, United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. 

            The indictment charges that between October 29, 2005, and  December 23, 2006, Barnett and  Stanley illegally stole $25,428.57 from the United States Government.  During this period of time, the two women illegally cashed Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) benefit checks. 

            The maximum sentence for this offense is not more than 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine 

            This matter was investigated by Agents with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.  Assistant United States Attorney Joseph P. Montminy will be prosecuting this matter on behalf of the United States. 

            Members of the public are reminded that an indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

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