ST. CROIX WOMAN CHARGED WITH WIRE FRAUD

St. Croix, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Nicole Morales, 47, a native of St. Croix, was charged in a 153-count wire fraud indictment.

According to court documents, on November 10, 2015, Morales began her employment as an office manager with Nichols, Newman, Logan, Grey and Lockwood, P.C. where she was responsible for processing employee payroll. In December 2015 through January 2019, Morales was engaged in a pattern of inflating her payroll. During this period, Morales also wired $371,595.74 from her employer’s bank account into three separate personal bank accounts. If convicted, Morales faces a sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel H. Huston.