Employee used FEMA's payroll processing system to embezzle
A Federal Emergency Management Agency human resources employee has been charged with using the agency's payroll processing system to embezzle almost $150,000, according to government news site GovExec.com.
Sheila Ann Howard - who was placed on administrative leave as a result of the investigation - allegedly made 26 fraudulent payments in the names of 16 former FEMA employees and one current employee over a 15-month period. She will face a maximum sentence of ten years if convicted.
"FEMA has no tolerance for fraud against the agency or the citizens we serve," said agency spokeswoman Rachel Racusen, according to the news source. "FEMA works to assist the appropriate law enforcement entities whenever there is a possibility that trust has been violated through illegal actions."
The agency was alerted to the alleged embezzlement by a former employee who received a W-2 form in 2010 for wages totaling almost $10,000. FEMA's payroll system indicated that the money was compensation for annual leave she had not used before retiring in 2009, but she had already received this at the time of her retirement.
According to the Washington Examiner, none of the seven former employees contacted by officials had received payments or used the bank accounts to which the deposits were made.
Sheila Ann Howard - who was placed on administrative leave as a result of the investigation - allegedly made 26 fraudulent payments in the names of 16 former FEMA employees and one current employee over a 15-month period. She will face a maximum sentence of ten years if convicted.
"FEMA has no tolerance for fraud against the agency or the citizens we serve," said agency spokeswoman Rachel Racusen, according to the news source. "FEMA works to assist the appropriate law enforcement entities whenever there is a possibility that trust has been violated through illegal actions."
The agency was alerted to the alleged embezzlement by a former employee who received a W-2 form in 2010 for wages totaling almost $10,000. FEMA's payroll system indicated that the money was compensation for annual leave she had not used before retiring in 2009, but she had already received this at the time of her retirement.
According to the Washington Examiner, none of the seven former employees contacted by officials had received payments or used the bank accounts to which the deposits were made.
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