United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

1100 Commerce St., 3rd Fl.
Dallas, Texas 75242-1699

Telephone (214) 659-8600
Fax (214) 767-0978

FEDERAL GRAND JURY INDICTS LOCAL ACCOUNTANT
FOR FORGING EMPLOYER’S CHECKS AND STEALING THE FUNDS

United States Attorney Richard B. Roper announced that a federal grand jury in Dallas returned an 18-count indictment charging Derek Behar Wirgau with 18 counts of forgery. Wirgau surrendered to federal authorities and made his initial appearance before a United States Magistrate Judge earlier today. If convicted on all counts, Wirgau, age 43, of Dallas, Texas, faces a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years imprisonment per count, a fine, and restitution.

The indictment alleges that on 18 separate occasions from April 2002 through mid-January 2003, Wirgau, then an employee at Empire Countertops, Inc., forged 18 Empire Countertops, Inc. checks totaling approximately $65,000. Wirgau cashed the checks and used the funds for his own benefit.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury, and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty.

United States Attorney Roper commended the investigative efforts of the United States Secret Service. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorneys Glenn Harrison and Stephen Booker.

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