A former accounting and human-resources director at Autumn Road Family Practice admitted Tuesday to a federal judge that she stole money from the Little Rock medical clinic from October 2008 through May 30, 2010.
Tiffany Tucker of Bryant appeared before Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Miller to plead guilty to a single count of wire fraud.
With defense attorney Chad Green at her side, Tucker waived an opportunity to have her case presented to a federal grand jury for review.
Instead, she pleaded guilty in the case, admitting that she accessed the clinic’s accounting system, which she used to disburse unauthorized electronic payments for her personal credit-card expenses which she disguised as business expenses.
She admitted specifically to a July 8, 2009, transaction through which money was wired from Little Rock to Charlotte, N.C.
A plea agreement Tucker signed states that the amount of money stolen will be determined at her sentencing hearing, which hasn’t yet been scheduled.
Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, though federal sentencing guidelines often suggest a penalty range much lower than the maximum, depending on a variety of factors including the amount of money taken; the sophistication of the scheme; and the defendant’s previous criminal record, if any.
Arkansas, Pages 11 on 04/25/2014