A federal grand jury in Alaska has indicted James Wohlers, a 56-year-old from Deatsville, Alabama, on charges of wire fraud and tax evasion. The charges stem from allegations that Wohlers defrauded GBR Equipment/Oilfield Services (GBR), an Anchorage-based company where he served as general manager.
Court documents indicate that Wohlers joined GBR in 2008 as a human resource manager and was promoted to general manager in 2009. His responsibilities included managing vendor relations, employee hiring, payroll, accounting, and coordinating wire transfers from the company's bank account.
An audit conducted in 2019 revealed financial discrepancies. It is alleged that between 2013 and 2019, Wohlers executed unauthorized wire transfers from GBR's account for personal benefit and used corporate credit cards for personal expenses.
The indictment further alleges that in 2015, Wohlers established BGI Industrial Services (BGI) in Alabama. Invoices totaling $27,500 were allegedly sent by Wohlers to two companies for services performed by GBR but billed under BGI. The payments were deposited into BGI's bank account. Additionally, it is claimed that GBR resources were misused to support BGI operations.
In late 2015 and early 2016, amidst financial difficulties at GBR, Wohlers announced pay cuts for employees ranging from five to fifteen percent. Shortly after these announcements, he allegedly spent over $43,000 of company funds on a personal trip to China.
Wohlers' employment with GBR ended in August 2019 following these discoveries. After his termination, he reportedly deleted approximately 10,000 emails from the company's servers.
He faces one count of wire fraud and three counts of tax evasion. His initial court appearance is scheduled for January 10 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew M. Scoble at the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. If convicted on all counts, Wohlers could face up to twenty years in prison; sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on guidelines and statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska made the announcement alongside Special Agent Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office and Special Agent Adam Jobes of IRS Criminal Investigation Seattle Field Office.
The investigation is being carried out by both the FBI Anchorage Field Office and IRS Criminal Investigation Seattle Field Office with Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Bradley prosecuting the case.
It should be noted that an indictment constitutes an allegation only; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court proceedings.
