Ismail J. Ramsey, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California
A federal grand jury has indicted Christina Ann Mobley, also known as Kris Mobley, on charges of defrauding her former employer, a construction company in Fortuna, California. The indictment, filed on February 5, 2025, alleges that Mobley embezzled over $500,000 from the company between January 2022 and November 2024.
Mobley was employed as the business manager for the construction company and assumed additional accounting duties after the retirement of the company's bookkeeper. Her responsibilities included managing entries in the company's accounting software and assisting with bill payments and payroll taxes.
The indictment outlines several fraudulent activities allegedly carried out by Mobley. These include directing checks from the company's bank account to her personal credit card accounts, making electronic payments from company funds to her personal cards, using the company's credit card for personal expenses such as cash advances at casinos and travel, writing checks to herself from the company account, inflating vacation time and bonuses in payroll records, and issuing duplicate payroll checks.
Mobley faces three counts of mail fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1341 and seven counts of wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1343. She made an initial court appearance in McKinleyville, California this morning and was released on bond with conditions set by the court. Her next court appearance is scheduled for February 26, 2025.
United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Dan Costin announced the indictment. "An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed," they stated. "All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."
If convicted, Mobley could face up to 20 years in prison for each count of mail or wire fraud. She may also be subject to a fine of $250,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transactions along with forfeiture and restitution.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Barry is prosecuting this case with assistance from Marina Ponomarchuk following an investigation by the FBI.
