Broken Arrow Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzling $2.75 Million

TULSA, Okla.— United States Attorney Trent Shores announced that Cristyne Denise Gilleland, 41, of Broken Arrow, pleaded guilty Tuesday to wire fraud involving the embezzlement of more than $2.75 million from an Inola business and to signing a false tax return.

Gilleland admitted to embezzling the money from TJT Enterprises, LLC, and its owner, Tommy Thompson, from 2010 to 2017 by wire transfers, writing checks, and paying credit card charges, all for her personal benefit. As an employee of the company who was responsible for accounting and financial management, she used a variety of methods to conceal her embezzlement, including establishing a business that she used to further her scheme. 

“Cristyne Gilleland betrayed the trust and confidence placed in her by TJT Enterprises and Tommy Thompson,” stated U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Her guilty plea today is the first step toward justice for the victims. The United States Attorney’s Office will help recover the more than $2.75 million embezzled by Gilleland. Crooks don’t get to keep the things they bought with illegally begotten money.”

The charges specifically focused on a fraudulent $577,500 wire transfer made by the defendant from TJT Enterprises to a business she created for the purpose of embezzling funds, and on a 2015 tax return in which she failed to report $477,199 in income to the IRS.

As part of the plea agreement, Gilleland consented to the forfeiture of substantial assets, including a yacht, a Grand Lake condominium, financial account proceeds and vehicles.  She further agreed to forfeit an additional $100,000.  All of the forfeited proceeds will provide restitution for the victims. 

U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell will sentence Gilleland on December 11, 2018 at 10 a.m.; Gilleland could face up to 20 years in prison. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation Division investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine J. Depew prosecuted the case.