Lake Charles woman pleads guilty to stealing more than $230,000 from employer

LAKE CHARLES – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Lake Charles woman pleaded guilty to stealing more than $230,000 from her employer’s bank account.

Melissa D. Crookshank, 33, of Lake Charles, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to one count of wire fraud.  According to the guilty plea, Crookshank, who worked as a bookkeeper for a Hackberry, La., company, stole $235,155.79 from her employer starting in 2009 and continuing until January of 2015. Crookshank issued checks to herself during that time without authorization from the company owners, which she deposited into her own bank accounts for personal use.

Crookshank faces 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and restitution. A sentencing date of August 25, 2016 was set.

The U.S. Secret Service and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard C. Parker is prosecuting the case.