Eastern Idaho Man Pleads Guilty To Stealing Over $280,000 From His Employer

POCATELLO- Matthew Lewis Udy, 45, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, pleaded guilty today to unauthorized use of an access device, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced.

According to the plea agreement, Udy was hired in December 2009, in Idaho Falls as a business and financial manager and was entrusted to handle his employer’s personal investments, rental properties, and other financial matters. From April 2011 through September 2013, Udy stole $150,346.52 from his employer related to his employer’s rental properties. Additionally, during the same time period, Udy fraudulently used five credit card accounts belonging to his employer, using the accounts to make unauthorized personal purchases. Udy used the accounts to receive $130,189 in payments or other things of value, including gift cards and hotel rooms. When interviewed by law enforcement, Udy admitted to disguising fraudulent credit card transactions by mirroring legitimate transactions and only paying the accounts with his employer’s funds.

The charge of unauthorized use of an access device is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.

Sentencing is set for February 17, 2015, before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge at the federal courthouse in Pocatello.

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Idaho Falls Police Department.