LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A former employee of the University of Louisville College of Business Equine Industry Program was sentenced to 37 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $461,889.47 in restitution today, by U.S. District Judge Jennifer Coffman, after pleading guilty to charges of wire fraud and money laundering, announced David J. Hale, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky.

Alisha Ward, age 41, of Louisville, Kentucky, while working as a Senior Program Coordinator for the University of Louisville College of Business Equine Industry Program (UofL-EIP), devised a scheme and, through a series of transactions, embezzled $463,636.35 from the University.

“Embezzlement is a serious crime, with serious consequences for the victims,” stated U.S. Attorney Hale. “When, as here, the victim is a public institution, the impact of the crime can affect the broader community. We will take the necessary steps to see that UofL receives restitution from the defendant.”

According to the plea agreement, entered in U.S. District Court on April 2, 2012, from January 2007 through February 2011, Ward used her position at UofL-EIP to fraudulently obtain funds from the Equine Riding and Racing Club student account and to fraudulently use a UofL-EIP procurement card. Ward also fraudulently requested disbursements from UofL-EIP and made fraudulent requisitions from UofL-EIP. The funds she obtained from the fraudulent disbursements and requisitions were personally utilized by Ward, including to pay for remodeling in her home.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Bryan Calhoun and was investigated by the University of Louisville Department of Public Safety, United States Secret Service, IRS - Criminal Investigation Division, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

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