A local New Orleans man has admitted to engaging in wire fraud that victimized his employer, a real estate management company, to the tune of over $60,000. JASON PICK, a 44-year-old accounting clerk, plead guilty to an eight-count indictment, as announced by Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson. His fraudulent activities spanned from June 2020 to October 2021, during which he manipulated money orders intended for rent, diverting the funds into his own bank account, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office official court documents, PICK's deceitful tactics extended to producing a falsified letter to a federal judge. The letter, supposedly from his employer, requested a delay in his prison report date due to a supposed busy period at the company. This request was granted, unwittingly allowing PICK additional time to conceal his crimes. Such elaborated scheme underscores a troubling abuse of trust and manipulation of the law.
The consequences for PICK's actions are severe. He faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, alongside fines that could reach $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and is also subject to a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. His sentencing dates are forthcoming, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Further details provided by authorities revealed that PICK adeptly continued his fraudulent activities from a distance. Before his expected incarceration for previous crimes, he lied to his employer about needing emergency kidney surgery, explaining this would necessitate him working remotely. In reality, "On his way to prison, PICK remotely accessed the company’s computer system and fraudulently edited the accounting books to conceal the money he had stolen," as described in the U.S. Attorney's Office announcement. The investigation into PICK's fraudulent activities was conducted by the United States Secret Service. The prosecution is being led by Assistant United States Attorney G. Dall Kammer, the Chief of the General Crimes Unit.
