NEWS RELEASE
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
WESTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
Julia C. Dudley United States Attorney Brian McGinn Public Affairs Specialist |
BB&T Building 310 1st Street, S.W., Room 906 Roanoke, Virginia 24011 (540) 857-2974 FAX (540) 857-2179 |
June 4, 2009
FORMER ABINGDON RESIDENT PLEADS GUILTY PLEADS GUILTY TO MONEY LAUNDERING AND MAIL FRAUD
Anna Howell Faces Possible 40 Year Term of Imprisonment
United States Attorney Julia C. Dudley announced today that Anna Laura Howell, age 43, formerly of Abingdon, Virginia, pled guilty today in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Abingdon to charges that she stole money from a former employer.
Howell, who was charged in a two count indictment with money laundering and mail fraud in March of this year, pled guilty today.
“Ms. Howell used her position of trust to deceive her employer and fraudulently obtain money for which she had no right,” Untied States Attorney Julia C. Dudley said today. “When this type of deception occurs in the Western District, the dedicated men and women who investigate and prosecute cases for our office will hold those individuals accountable for their criminal actions.”
By pleading guilty, the defendant has admitted that she used her position at a law firm to issue stop payment orders on various checks written by the firm. She then redirected those funds for her personal use. In all, Howell redirected at least $31,000 from the firm into her possession.
At sentencing, Howell faces a maximum penalty of 40 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $750,000. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for August 10, 2009 at 1:30 p.m.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Bristol Office for the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer R. Bockhorst is prosecuting the case for the United States.