| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | For Information, Contact Public Affairs |
| Monday, July 31, 2006 | Channing Phillips (202) 514-6933 |
| Former College Summit Employee pleads guilty to making over $45,000 in unauthorized charges to corporate credit card |
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| Washington,
D.C. -
Joyce R. Williams, 40, of Largo, MD, formerly employed by College Summit’s National Headquarters, pleaded guilty today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to felony credit card fraud, U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Wainstein announced. The plea occurred before U.S. District Court Judge John D. Bates. Williams is scheduled to be sentenced on October 12, 2006. Under the voluntary sentencing guidelines, Williams faces up to one year incarceration is not likely.
According to the government’s evidence, on approximately October 12, 2005, knowing that she was not authorized to do so, Williams rush ordered an American Express Corporate Credit Card for herself in the name of College Summit. Between October 14, 2005 and January 23, 2006, for her personal benefit, Williams charged airplane tickets, hotel stays, meals, clothing, electronics, concert tickets, jewelry, fuel and bills to the credit card. Williams made these charges from the business in Washington, D.C., her home in Largo, MD, as well as, Springfield, VA, Atlanta, GA, Atlantic City, NJ, Philadelphia, PA and Las Vegas, NV and other jurisdictions. Williams charged over $45,000 to the credit card. Williams made two payments to the credit card of approximately $11,300 and $3,600 using College Summit checks that she wrongfully obtained. In announcing today’s guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Wainstein commended U.S. Attorney’s Office, Criminal Investigative Unit, Investigators Alan McDonald and Duncan Templeton. He also commended Assistant United States Attorney Roy L. Austin, Jr. who is prosecuting the case. |
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