Papillion Woman Sentenced for Mail Fraud

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Paula R. Creps, 52, of Papillion, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Omaha by Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. to 6 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Creps pled guilty in July 2023 to Mail Fraud and had already paid restitution of $44,884.95. 

From about November 2015 to July 2022, Creps was the Director of the Sarpy County Court Appointed Special Advocates ("Sarpy CASA").  Sarpy CASA staff and volunteers serve as Advocates in Juvenile Court proceedings. The juveniles are typically wards of the state who have been removed from their homes due to reported abuse or neglect. The Advocates support the juveniles during the court process and submit reports to the Juvenile Court concerning the juveniles’ best interests. 

In addition to their normal duties as Advocates, CASA volunteers and staff can help juveniles and their families obtain needed items or pay for special events using charitable contributions that are held by Lift Up Sarpy County (LUSC).  Sarpy CASA can also expend government grant funds that LUSC holds. 

As Director, Creps managed the operation of Sarpy CASA, oversaw its staff and volunteers, and approved expenditures of charitable contributions and grant funds. 

From about March 2019 to July 2022, while she was Director of Sarpy CASA, Creps fraudulently obtained approximately $44,884.95 in goods and services that were paid for or reimbursed by LUSC from charitable contributions and grant funds that it held.  Creps did so by submitting false payment reports and reimbursement requests for expenditures that purportedly were for charitable or government purposes, but in fact were for the benefit of herself or her family.  Creps supported the fraudulent requests with forged receipts.  

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office.