Claremore woman pleads guilty to bank-fraud charge
By DAVID HARPER World Staff Writer on Aug 16, 2013, at 4:33 AM Updated on 8/16/13 at 6:31 AM
Legal
The plaintiff alleged in a lawsuit that he was made to perform pushups to avoid a ticket or jail.
Hilliard Andrew Fulgham is accused of killing Linda Wright, 45, and Dorothy Lindley, 60, in 2006.
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A Claremore woman pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal bank fraud charge, admitting that she forged more than 200 checks worth more than $460,000 drawn on her former employer's account over nearly three years.
Lisa R. Tolbert, 49, admitted engaging in the fraud from Jan. 1, 2010 until last Oct. 24 while she worked as an office manager at Kelsey Company Inc. in Tulsa.
Tolbert admitted that she obtained at least $462,421.39. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Gallant and Tolbert's lawyer Mark Lyons said Tolbert spent most, if not all, of the money on gambling.
According to the June 10 charge to which she pleaded guilty, Tolbert had access to the company's financial books and records as part of her job.
Prosecutors alleged that the purpose of the scheme was for Tolbert to obtain Kelsey funds by forging checks drawn on its bank account and then to use the proceeds for her own purposes without the company's consent.
U.S. Chief District Judge Gregory Frizzell is scheduled to sentence Tolbert, who is free on bond, on Nov. 14. Gallant estimated that she faces 33 to 41 months in prison under guidelines that appear to apply.
Tolbert, who no longer works for the company, also faces the possible forfeiture of property in Claremore and Owasso as part of the case.
She told the court Thursday that she has undergone treatment for a gambling addiction.
Legal
The plaintiff alleged in a lawsuit that he was made to perform pushups to avoid a ticket or jail.
Hilliard Andrew Fulgham is accused of killing Linda Wright, 45, and Dorothy Lindley, 60, in 2006.
CONTACT THE REPORTER
918-581-8359
Email
