An Orleans Parish woman has been handed a three-year prison sentence for siphoning off over $2.5 million from her employer. In a pre-Christmas court proceeding, Shavonda Chambers, a 44-year-old bookkeeper from New Orleans, faced the consequences of her inventive but illegal financial maneuvers. By submitting false electronic payroll authorizations to an out-of-state company, she redirected considerable sums into pockets that decidedly did not belong to her.
Embezzlement cases often raise concerns about oversight and trust in the workplace. Caught in the act, Chambers carried out the financial scheme before law enforcement intervened. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, her role as a bookkeeper was critical, one that she exploited to funnel funds from her employer to personal accounts with little initial detection.
Last Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan sentenced Chambers to 36 months of imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year supervised release. Understandably, emphasis was placed on the repayment of ill-gotten gains, with Chambers ordered to pay back the embezzled amount in full. Moreover, she was also tasked with a mandatory special assessment fee, adding $100 to her tab.
Commending the United States Secret Service for their investigative prowess, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans acknowledged the depth of work required to bring financial criminals to justice. Under the guidance of Assistant United States Attorney Richard R. Pickens, II from the Financial Crimes Unit, the office handled the prosecution meticulously.
