A federal jury convicted Brittany Hudson on March 13 of all 30 counts related to a scheme that defrauded Amazon of nearly $10 million, as well as laundering the proceeds, lying to a franchising company while on pretrial release, and forging the signature of a federal judge on fake court documents.
The conviction highlights the seriousness of fraud schemes targeting large corporations and the consequences for those involved. The case also underscores law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute complex financial crimes.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said, “Hudson and her literal partner in crime brazenly stole nearly $10 million from Amazon through a fraud scheme involving fake vendors and invoices. 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, “The level of greed on the part of the perpetrators in this case was staggering. 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. Thanks to the diligent work of our agents and the prosecution team at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, her days of defrauding others have come to an end.”
According to information presented in court, Hudson owned Legend Express LLC, which contracted with Amazon for package delivery. She was romantically involved with Kayricka Wortham (also known as Kayricka Dupree or Kayricka Young), who worked as an operations manager at an Amazon warehouse in Smyrna, Georgia. From January to June 2022, they used fake vendors and invoices to steal approximately $9.4 million from Amazon by submitting fictitious invoices for goods and services never provided.
Prosecutors said Hudson and Wortham used fraudulent proceeds to buy luxury real estate and vehicles including a home worth nearly $1 million in Smyrna, Georgia; high-end cars such as a Lamborghini Urus; and other expensive items. In September 2022 they were charged federally for their actions against Amazon.
While out on bond in January 2023, Hudson lied about her criminal charges being dismissed by sending fake court documents bearing forged signatures—including that of former Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy C. Batten Sr.—to support her claims when seeking new business opportunities.
Wortham previously pleaded guilty to related charges; she was sentenced in June 2023 to sixteen years in prison followed by three years supervised release and ordered to pay over $9 million restitution to Amazon. Sentencing for Hudson is scheduled for June 16 before Judge Michael L. Brown.
The United States Secret Service investigated this case.
