NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced Thursday, March 14, 2019 the guilty plea of CHRISTELLE SCHMIDT, age 65 of Thibodeaux, Louisiana to one count of violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(b), Bank larceny. The indictment returned in November of 2018 alleged that SCHMIDT stole more than $550,000 from a local architectural firm while employed as a bookkeeper there.
The indictment alleged that starting in 2007 and continuing through 2017 through a series of fraudulent activities SCHMIDT committed the offense. The indictment further alleged that she used two different schemes to purloin the funds, which were in the care, custody of and control of several federally insured banks in the New Orleans area.
The indictment further alleged that her second scheme involved charging personal expenses on company credit cards issued to her. She paid the credit cards using the automated clearing house (ACH) accounts of the firm, without the permission of the firm.
SCHMIDT faces up to 10 years incarceration, a $250,000 fine and restitution and 3 years supervised release. Sentencing is set for June 13, 2019.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Secret Service in investigating the matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice Jr.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
