The office of the United States Attorney for the District of Colorado has announced charges against James Montoya, a federal employee who stands accused of swindling the government out of more than $1 million. Montoya, a 54-year-old resident of Lakewood, Colorado, was indicted by a federal grand jury on eight counts of wire fraud. As reported by the U.S. Department of Justice, the supposed scheme was unearthed during a routine check by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), which is responsible for the USGS office where Montoya worked.
During this audit, an array of dubious transactions were spotted on Montoya’s government-provided charge card. Upon closer inspection, investigators allege, Montoya had concealed his fraudulent purchases by doctoring documents to make it appear as though they were legitimate work-related expenses. Spanning fifteen years, from around December 2008 to at least November 2023, the total loss to the government due to these actions amounts to approximately $1,223,009.42.
The justice system's wheels began to turn on September 4, when Montoya was brought before Magistrate Judge Susan Prose for his initial appearance in a Denver court. While the charges suggest a grand misuse of public funds, it is important to remember, as the indictment clarifies, that these allegations remain accusations. Montoya maintains the presumption of innocence until, and unless, he is proven guilty in a court of law.
