Deborah Patka Press Release (Indictment)

May 15, 2008
For Immediate Release

WRIGHT CITY, MO WOMAN INDICTED ON FRAUD CHARGES

St. Louis, MO: Deborah Patka was indicted on mail fraud charges involving her alleged embezzlement from her ex-employer, United States Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway announced today.

The indictment alleges that Patka defrauded her ex-employer of more than $475,000 over nearly four years between 2003 and 2007. While working in the company’s accounting department, Patka is alleged to have prepared sixty-six forged, unauthorized checks to American Express and used those checks to pay down personal debts. Patka is also alleged to have used the American Express account to pay down other credit accounts.

DEBORAH PATKA of Wright City, Missouri, was indicted on one felony count of mail fraud.

If convicted, Patka faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or a fine of $250,000, along with mandatory restitution for the full amount of loss.

Hanaway commended the work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which investigated the case with assistance from the Chesterfield Police Department, and Assistant United States Attorney Tom Albus, who is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations, and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI CATHERINE L. HANAWAY United States Attorney	NEWS RELEASE
For further information: Call Public Affairs Officer Jan Diltz at (314) 539-7719
May 15, 2008 For Immediate Release WRIGHT CITY, MO WOMAN INDICTED ON FRAUD CHARGES St. Louis, MO: Deborah Patka was indicted on mail fraud charges involving her alleged embezzlement from her ex-employer, United States Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway announced today. The indictment alleges that Patka defrauded her ex-employer of more than $475,000 over nearly four years between 2003 and 2007. While working in the company’s accounting department, Patka is alleged to have prepared sixty-six forged, unauthorized checks to American Express and used those checks to pay down personal debts. Patka is also alleged to have used the American Express account to pay down other credit accounts. DEBORAH PATKA of Wright City, Missouri, was indicted on one felony count of mail fraud. If convicted, Patka faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or a fine of $250,000, along with mandatory restitution for the full amount of loss. Hanaway commended the work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which investigated the case with assistance from the Chesterfield Police Department, and Assistant United States Attorney Tom Albus, who is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations, and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.