Augusta, GA - Vicky Vinson Capetillo, from Grovetown, Georgia, pled guilty today before U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall to two federal felonies related to her embezzlement of nearly $900,000 from the City of Grovetown.
According to the factual basis presented for her guilty plea, Capetillo worked for the City of Grovetown as the City Clerk. Her duties as Clerk included the preparation of the regular bank deposits of the City. Capetillo developed a scheme to steal the cash from the deposits: first, she intercepted checks sent in by citizens as payment for utility bills; then, after developing a cache of checks, she would pocket cash from the regular deposit and replace the stolen cash with the intercepted checks to make the deposit ticket balance.
Between January 2011 and April 2016, Capetillo stole and deposited $890,000 in cash into her and her family’s accounts.
Capetillo faces a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $500,000, and five years of supervision following release from prison. Capetillo was released on bond pending sentencing, which will be set after the U.S. Probation Office completes a presentence investigation.
U.S. Attorney Bobby L. Christine said, “The citizens of this district should be able to rely on the honest service of their public officials. Corruption and embezzlement by those in positions of government trust will be met with federal prosecution and jail time."
The charges against Capetillo resulted from an investigation led by IRS Special Agent Jeff Hale and FBI Special Agent Charles McKee. Assistant United States Attorney Patricia G. Rhodes prosecuted the case for the Government. For any questions, please contact Appellate Chief R. Brian Tanner at (912) 652-4422.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
