FORMER COMPTROLLER SENTENCED TO 46 MONTHS FOR WIRE FRAUD

[KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE]—Phyllis Giger, 64, of Knoxville, Tennessee, was sentenced today by the Honorable Thomas Phillips, United States District Judge, to serve forty-six (46) months in prison, followed by three (3) years of supervised release. This sentence followed Giger's guilty plea to wire fraud charges on April 3, 2008. Giger also ordered to pay restitution totaling $577,647.37

On June 20, 2007, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Giger with wire fraud. According to court documents, Giger provided comptroller services for National Emergency Assistance, Inc. ("NEA") and Retiree Resources Corporation ("RRC") and fraudulently caused the electronic transfer of funds from NEA’s and RRC’s AmSouth accounts to her personal bank accounts located at Home Federal Bank and First Tennessee Bank. Giger fraudulently concealed her wire transactions by falsely identifying the electronic fund transfers as payments to other individuals. Giger's fraudulent transactions totalled $577,647.37.
This investigation was conducted by the Tennessee Valley Authority, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Hamilton represented the government.
For further information please contact James R. Dedrick, United States Attorney, Trey Hamilton, Assistant United States Attorney, or Sharry Dedman-Beard, Public Information Officer at 865-545-4167.