|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
May 13 , 2009
FORMER EMPLOYEE OF GLOBAL ENGINEERING FIRM PLEADS GUILTY TO WIRE FRAUD
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Former Black and Veatch employee Monique S. Koger, 35, Kansas City, Mo., has pleaded guilty to defrauding her former employer of more than $90,000, U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch said today.
Koger pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. In her plea, she admitted that the crime occurred from Feb. 23, 2007, to Dec. 13, 2007, while she worked as an administrative assistant for the Enterprise Management Solutions Division of Black and Veatch. Her duties included arranging travel accommodations for employees, arranging hotels and banquet facilities for meetings and assisting employees in processing their expense reports.
Koger submitted fraudulent expense reports in order to be reimbursed for expenses she never incurred. She submitted fraudulent claims including:
– Requests to be reimbursed for hotel and banquet facility reservation fees she had not paid.
– Multiple requests for reimbursement of the same expenses.
– Requests to be reimbursed for expenses that were incurred by other employees, who also received reimbursement.
As a result, Koger unlawfully received approximately $90,530 in reimbursements from Black and Veatch.
Sentencing is set for Aug. 10, 2009. She faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison, a fine up to $250,000 and reimbursement of the stolen funds. Welch commended the U.S. Secret Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Hare for their work on the case.
##