A 40-year-old man from San Antonio, Texas, has pled guilty to a federal offense of mail fraud, in addition to aiding and abetting. At sentencing, to occur later, he will face penalties that could include restitution, a $250,00 fine, and up to 20 years of incarceration in a federal facility.
Federal prosecutors claimed that over a one-year period, the defendant created and sought payment for invoices for a technology company from University Medical Center. Fifteen such invoices were sent, allegedly with the knowledge that they would cause the payment of the false and fraudulent bills to various addresses listed. The payments were sent through the U.S. mail. The defendant and the former Vice President of the University Medical Center (U"MC) were said to have taken actions that resulted in the improper payment of $54,750 for various technology services and goods never actually provided.
The money, the charges assert, were then used for personal expenses, including entertainment, travel, education, and simply routine living expenses. The UMC ex-Vice President pled guilty earlier to similar charges arising out of the same incidents and several others occurring from 2007 to 2011, purportedly involving $681,908 in fraudulent payments. The F.B.I. spearheaded the investigation that led to the charges.
Federal mail fraud charges can result in extremely serious penalties. Anyone facing such charges needs to consult with and retain an attorney experienced in the defense of federal criminal charges at the earliest possible time, in order to carefully explore all possible avenues of defense and/or mitigation of the charges. Federal prosecutors have many resources at their disposal and are often relentless, making it imperative that defendants have a knowledgeable lawyer in their corner.
Source: Fbi.gov, "Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud in Case Related to Conviction of Former University Medical Center Vice President Greg Bruce" No Author Given, Jul. 12, 2013