Bookkeeper’s vacation was her undoing, civil suit says; discovery leads to plea in $2.5M theft
Law Firms
Bookkeeper’s vacation was her undoing, civil suit says; discovery leads to plea in $2.5M theft
May 22, 2024, 8:38 am CDT
A bookkeeper for a New Orleans law firm pleaded guilty to wire fraud last week after she was accused of embezzling $2.5 million from her employer. (Image from Shutterstock)
A bookkeeper for a New Orleans law firm pleaded guilty to wire fraud last week after she was accused of embezzling $2.5 million from her employer.
Shavonda Chambers, 43, of New Orleans is set to be sentenced in September, according to a May 16 press release and a NOLA.com story noted by Bloomberg Law and Above the Law.
Prosecutors didn’t name Chambers’ employer, but the Aaron & Gianna law firm identified itself as the defrauded party in a civil lawsuit against Chambers, NOLA.com reported.
Aaron & Gianna discovered the theft when Chambers went on vacation and someone else covered for her, according to the civil suit.
Chambers was accused of embezzling the money through at least 143 payroll transfers to her personal accounts from 2017 to 2023, according to NOLA.com.
She used the money to buy at least eight cars, the civil suit says.
