Ellisville, Missouri Woman Indicted on Bankruptcy Fraud Charges

St. Louis, MO – Julie A. Fish was indicted on charges involving a bankruptcy scheme and concealing assets.

According to the indictment, Fish filed for bankruptcy in February 2014.  The indictment states that she understated the value of her home in Ellisville by listing the value as $145,000.  The property sold for $289,900.  Additionally, in her Schedule B, Personal Property declaration she understated or failed to list the value of clothing, furs and jewelry by several thousand dollars. Also, as part of her preparation for the bankruptcy filing, Fish delivered several items of valuable jewelry to a local jewelry store to be sold on consignment, which she failed to list on the Schedule B document.   

Fish, Ellisville, MO, was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 27, on one felony count each of bankruptcy fraud, making false statements in bankruptcy and concealment of bankruptcy assets.  She was arraigned in federal court this morning.

If convicted, each count of the indictment carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.     

As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.