A federal grand jury has indicted Kami Elois Power, 54, of Gardnerville, Nevada, on charges including wire fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The indictment was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith.

Court documents reveal that from November 2019 to May 2023, Power worked as an office assistant at a family-owned construction company in South Lake Tahoe. During this period, she allegedly embezzled over $1.4 million from the company. It is claimed that more than $700,000 of these fraudulent transfers were disguised as payments to vendors through fake profiles using real and fictitious company names such as “KEP Inc. Sale” and “KPI.” Additional funds were reportedly misrepresented as payroll or reimbursement payments. Power is also accused of making unauthorized personal purchases with the company's credit card and paying her personal credit card balances with company funds. The stolen money was allegedly used to buy property, luxury cars, ATVs, and a horse.

The investigation leading to the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation along with the South Lake Tahoe Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliot C. Wong and Whitnee Goins are handling the prosecution.

If convicted on all counts, Power could face significant penalties: up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of wire fraud; up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine for each count of bank fraud; plus a mandatory two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft. However, any sentencing would be determined by the court after considering statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines which consider various variables.

It is important to note that these charges are allegations at this stage; Power remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.