Wichita bookkeeper sentenced for wire fraud

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 18 months in prison for embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from his former employer. 

According to court documents, Jason Matthew Pennington, 52, of Wichita pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. 

Pennington worked at an animal hospital in Derby, Kansas, as a bookkeeper and office assistant. Because of his position, Pennington had access to the company’s financial records and payroll system. In July 2020, he embezzled approximately $41,000 by making unauthorized wire transfers from the company’s payroll system to his personal bank accounts. As part of his plea agreement, Pennington agreed to pay full restitution to the animal hospital.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lanny Welch and Aaron Smith prosecuted the case.

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