Former Office Manager of Middle Georgia Health Care Business Convicted of Bank Fraud in EIDL Embezzlement Scheme
Former Office Manager Convicted in Embezzlement Scheme Involving Federal Loans
Emiliya Radford, 33, of Warner Robins, Georgia, was found guilty this week by a federal jury of bank fraud, wire fraud, and federal program theft in connection with an embezzlement scheme targeting a Middle Georgia chiropractic office. The scheme resulted in losses exceeding $200,000 for the established spinal care center.Radford's guilty verdict, returned after approximately one hour of jury deliberation on June 27, includes charges of bank fraud, wire fraud, and federal program theft. She faces significant penalties, including up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine for bank fraud, up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for wire fraud, and up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for federal program theft, in addition to potential restitution ordered by the court. Sentencing will be determined by U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell at a future date. Notably, there is no parole in the federal system.
“Emiliya Radford chose greed and deceit with her embezzlement scheme that victimized a small business that had operated in the Warner Robins community for many decades,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Financial crimes devastate hard-working, law-abiding citizens and will not be tolerated by this office or our law enforcement partners.”
Radford, formerly employed by Smith Spinal Care Center (SSCC) in Warner Robins, initially contracted her company, Cyber Pinecone, for marketing services in September 2019. By May 2020, she was appointed Office Manager at SSCC, with authority over the company’s Wells Fargo bank account. This role gave her control over issuing payroll checks, including her own. However, without authorization, Radford continued to write checks to Cyber Pinecone for purported marketing services, totaling more than $200,000. She also granted herself an unauthorized salary increase.
The investigation revealed that Radford used funds from COVID-19 Federal Economic Disaster Loans (EIDL) among other sources. Additionally, Radford misused SSCC’s bank account to purchase $11,015.67 worth of items from the Apple store, which were later found at her residence during a federal search warrant execution on May 4, 2023, following her resignation on December 19, 2022.
“Radford violated the trust of the company that hired her and elevated her to a position of leadership,” remarked Robert Gibbs, Senior Supervisory Senior Resident Agent of FBI Atlanta's Macon office. “Because of her self-interest and greed, she has not only thrown away her career, but will spend time in prison for her crime.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Howard prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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