Former Bookkeeper Sentenced to 63 Months in Prison for Fraud

F.P. Report

BENTON: Paula R. Hise, 55, of Shawneetown, Illinois, was sentenced yesterday in United States District Court in Benton to 63 months in prison for defrauding her former employer of over $1,500,000.00, announced Steven D. Weinhoeft, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois.   Hise had previously pled guilty on April 19, 2021 to an Indictment charging her with two counts of wire fraud.

Information introduced in support of the guilty plea and sentence showed that between 2007 and 2017, Hise used her trusted position as a bookkeeper for her employer to steal funds from her employer by obtaining an unauthorized credit card, using that credit card for personal purchases, and then paying the balance of the credit card using her employer’s business checking account. Hise concealed her crime by creating false entries in the business’ account ledgers, creating false accounting reports, and providing false information to her employer.

“The  FBI  is  committed  to  investigating  those  who  commit  financial  fraud  in  order  to  protect American citizens and businesses,” said Special Agent in Charge David Nanz. “This sentence holds Hise accountable for the damage she caused and sends a message that fraud is a serious crime with serious consequences.”

In addition to the 63-month term of imprisonment, Hise was also ordered to pay the United States $200  in  special  assessments,  and  to  pay  a  total  of  $1,550,379.14  in  restitution  to  her  former employer, less any amounts received from a related civil suit.  Hise was also placed on a 3-year term of supervised release to follow her incarceration.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Springfield Division.