A federal grand jury in New Jersey has indicted a Fort Smith woman over accusations she engineered the theft of $42 million in a Ponzi scheme centered on a payment, logistics and shipping business.
Prosecutors say 63-year-old Shirley Sooy turned herself in to authorities Wednesday to face charges of wire fraud conspiracy and other fraud-related charges.
Sooy is accused of running a scheme for 10 years in which a business called TransVantage Group contracted with corporate clients to pay audited freight bills. Sooy converted the cash to her own use, prosecutors say.
In a civil suit last year, Sooy denied fraud allegations.
Prosecutors say she used company money to pay mortgages, buy a Maserati sports car, a share in a yacht and other items for herself and family members.