A federal jury convicted Brittany Hudson on March 13 of all 30 counts related to a scheme that defrauded Amazon of nearly $10 million, laundered the proceeds, lied while on pretrial release, and forged the signature of a federal judge, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg for the Northern District of Georgia.
The case highlights the enforcement efforts by federal authorities against large-scale fraud schemes impacting major companies and public trust. The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia serves as the principal federal law enforcement agency in its region, prioritizing prosecution of threats such as terrorism, human trafficking, and civil rights violations to serve its community according to the official website.
According to prosecutors, Hudson owned Legend Express LLC, which contracted with Amazon for package delivery. She was in a relationship with Kayricka Wortham, who worked as an operations manager at an Amazon warehouse in Smyrna, Georgia. From January to June 2022, Hudson and Wortham created fake vendors and invoices that led Amazon to transfer about $9.4 million into accounts they controlled. The funds were used to purchase luxury real estate and vehicles.
“Hudson and her literal partner in crime brazenly stole nearly $10 million from Amazon through a fraud scheme involving fake vendors and invoices,” said Hertzberg. “A federal jury put an end to Hudson’s insatiable greed by returning a guilty verdict on 30 counts of conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and forgery.”
Special Agent in Charge Robert Donovan of the U.S. Secret Service Atlanta Field Office said: “Leveraging personal relationships, she stole millions from Amazon and was so confident she wouldn’t be caught, she even forged the signature of a federal judge with the intent of defrauding a second company.”
After being charged in September 2022 for defrauding Amazon, Hudson and Wortham lied about their charges being dismissed while on bond by sending fake court documents bearing forged signatures of former Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy C. Batten Sr., among others.
Wortham was previously sentenced to 16 years in prison for her role in the scheme after pleading guilty; she is scheduled for sentencing on additional forgery charges later this month before Judge Michael L. Brown.
Sentencing for Hudson is set for June 16 before Judge Brown.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office covers a region serving approximately 7.5 million residents across north Georgia mountains, Atlanta suburbs, and borders with Alabama and the Carolinas according to its official website. The office enforces federal criminal laws and represents the United States in civil matters while collaborating with law enforcement agencies nationwide according to its official website.
