Ronald Deabler was sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of conspiring to launder $5.3 million stolen from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, according to a July 23 announcement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.
“Deabler used his knowledge of the banking system to launder millions of dollars stolen from a not-for-profit pediatric healthcare system that is dedicated to the welfare of Georgia’s infants, children, and teens,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Scammers, swindlers, and thieves who target our vital healthcare institutions, and their associates who launder stolen money, will face the full consequences of their actions.”
Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, said, “Criminals who steal from a children’s hospital are not just committing financial fraud—they are exploiting an institution that exists to care for vulnerable children and support their families. Deabler chose to use his financial expertise to help conceal and distribute millions of dollars stolen from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. This sentence demonstrates that anyone who profits from these schemes will face serious consequences.”
According to information presented in court, in early June 2023 a hacker accessed the email system of a commercial furniture vendor for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) and updated bank account information on file with CHOA for ACH payments with details belonging instead to Deabler’s account. On or about June 13, 2023, CHOA wired $5.3 million into Deabler’s bank account as directed by the hacker posing as an employee.
Deabler agreed to distribute the funds in exchange for a commission. After receiving the deposit he opened another bank account, attempting unsuccessfully to move all proceeds; he did transfer over $1 million there before converting approximately $3.5 million into cashier’s checks sent as instructed by the hacker. The fraud was detected within days by CHOA and its vendor; subsequent tracing led banks and authorities back through Deabler’s accounts, resulting in recovery of about $4 million.
On July 22 Ronald Deabler was sentenced at age 66 in Atlanta federal court: four years’ imprisonment followed by two years supervised release plus restitution totaling $682,860 after being found guilty by jury on February 12.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Tracia M. King and Phyllis Clerk.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia serves as principal federal law enforcement agency covering north Georgia including metro Atlanta; it enforces criminal laws such as those involving threats like terrorism or human trafficking while collaborating with law enforcement agencies nationwide and internationally, according to its official website.