Hoosier State Today

Rebecca Willis, a 67-year-old resident of Evansville, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for embezzling over $550,000 from her employer. Following her prison term, she will undergo three years of supervised release. This sentence comes after Willis pleaded guilty to eight counts of wire fraud.

Court documents reveal that Willis was employed as a bookkeeper at an architecture firm in Evansville for more than two decades. Her responsibilities included managing accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll.

Between 2006 and 2021, Willis manipulated payroll data to increase her earnings unjustly. She inflated her regular hours, overtime hours, bonuses, and mileage reimbursements. As a result, her bi-weekly pay was composed of approximately 40% fraudulent claims. Furthermore, Willis used the company's business account and credit cards for unauthorized personal purchases such as gift cards and gasoline. In total, she embezzled around $570,209.47 over fifteen years.

U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers stated: “This defendant lied, stole, and cooked the books to line her pocket with no remorse, betraying her employer of two decades and repaying their trust by fraudulently increasing her income by nearly forty percent over fifteen years.” He emphasized the serious consequences for financial crimes and commended the FBI and Evansville Police Department for their investigative efforts.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Evansville Police Department. U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young imposed the sentence on Willis who is also required to pay restitution amounting to $570,209.47 to her former employer.

U.S. Attorney Myers expressed gratitude towards Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Miller for prosecuting the case.