Kira Lee Encarnacion, 41, of St. Croix, pleaded guilty Friday in District Court to a count of federal program theft in a case where she was charged with stealing more than $85,000 from the Women’s Coalition of St. Croix, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced.
According to court documents, from November 2014 through May 2015, Encarnacion was employed as a bookkeeper with the Women’s Coalition of St. Croix. As the bookkeeper, Encarnacion’s duties included issuing legitimate payments to vendors in support of the organization’s functions, using an accounting software program.
However, during this period, the court documents show, she caused 39 WCSC checks to be issued to herself, totaling $85,510. Encarnacion disguised the checks in the accounting software program as payments to legitimate vendors of WCSC. The defendant then deposited the checks into her personal bank account and used the funds to pay for personal matters.
Because WCSC receives more than $10,000 a year in federal grants and benefits, the case was subject to federal prosecution.
This offense carries a possible sentence of incarceration of up to 10 years, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release up to three years. Sentencing is set for Nov. 27.
The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel H. Huston prosecuted the case.
OMG! Not another one! This is scary! Glad the US Attorney Office is cleaning shop! Finally some justice!
Right and wrong taught at home?
Civics taught at school?
Integrity anyone?
Does anyone on these POS islands NOT steal?