Ohio man indicted on wire fraud charges

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Kenneth Werkau, of Clarington, Ohio, was indicted today on wire fraud charges, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.

Werkau, 63, was indicted today on three counts of “Wire Fraud.” Werkau was employed as an associate at Walmart in Moundsville. Beginning in September 2019 and ending in January 2020, Werkau is accused of stealing $123,775 in gift cards and activating them without paying for them. 

Werkau faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each charge. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Dane DeMasi-Lemon is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI investigated.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.