U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs | U.S. Department of Justice
Margaret Ward Heilman and Katherine Ward Gray have been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The two sisters, aged 66 and 60 respectively, were involved in a scheme that defrauded a Florence County business of $1.5 million.
Heilman, who worked as the bookkeeper for the business, had access to its bank accounts and signature authority. Starting in 2014, she began writing checks to herself and others, including her sister Gray, disguising them as legitimate business expenses on the company's general ledger.
The court was presented with evidence showing that through this fraudulent activity, Heilman embezzled $1.5 million from the company.
United States District Judge Joseph Dawson III sentenced Heilman to 20 months in prison followed by three years of court-ordered supervision. She is also required to pay $1.5 million in restitution. Gray received a sentence of seven months imprisonment followed by three years of supervision and must pay $234,131.82 in restitution. There is no parole available in the federal system.
The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service along with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy F. Bower is prosecuting the case.
