Three Cleveland residents are accused of taking part in a conspiracy to defrauded Giant Eagle's payroll account out of approximately $80,000, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Paris Dixon age 28, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, seven counts of wire fraud, one count of credit card fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Sierra Hodges, age 27, was indicted one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, six counts of wire fraud, two counts of credit card fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Linda Howard, age 25, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit Wire Fraud, three counts of Wire Fraud, and one count of Credit Card Fraud.
The indictment charges that from as early as November 8, 2008, until on or about Aug. 11, 2010, Paris Dixon, Sierra Hodges, and Linda Howard devised a scheme to defraud Giant Eagle by accessing Giant Eagle Corporation’s employee payroll account without authority.
The indictment charges that the defendants made wire transfer charges on this account to pay for various goods and services for themselves or for family members or friends totaling approximately $80,000.
The indictment charges that from Jan. 13, 2009, and on or about Feb. 12, 2010, Paris Dixon with the intent to defraud, used one or more unauthorized access devices during a one year period, and by such conduct obtained anything of value aggregating $1,000 or more during that period.
The indictment charges that from December 9, 2008, until on or about Dec. 14, 2009, Paris Dixon, during and in relation to the illegal use of access devices, knowingly used, without lawful authority, a means of identification of one or more other persons, knowing that said means of identification belonged to another person.
The indictment charges that from November, 2008, until December, 2009, Linda Howard, with the intent to defraud, used one or more unauthorized access devices during a one year period, and by such conduct obtained anything of value aggregating $1,000 or more during that period.
The indictment charges that from Jan. 13, 2009, and on or about Aug. 11, 2010, Sierra Hodges with the intent to defraud, used one or more unauthorized access devices during a one year period, and by such conduct obtained anything of value aggregating $1,000 or more during that period.
The indictment charges that from Jan. 13, 2009, and on or about Aug. 11, 2010, Sierra Hodges, during and in relation to illegal use of access devices, knowingly used, without lawful authority, a means of identification of one or more other persons, knowing that said means of identification belonged to another person.
If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to the case, including the defendants’ prior criminal records, if any, the defendants’ role(s) in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The case is being presented by Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Sassé after an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
