NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that KATIE LAROCHE, age 54, a resident of Dallas, Texas, pleaded guilty as charged on July 27, 2022 to a one-count bill of information charging her with wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343.
According to court documents, LAROCHE created, owned, and operated a business, Capital City Consulting Firm, that purported to provide financial management services. Victim 1 was a client of LAROCHE’s, and LAROCHE was responsible for performing bookkeeping, accounting, and other financial services for Victim 1 and Victim 1’s businesses. LAROCHE had signatory authority and access to Victim 1’s bank accounts.
From about February 2015 through March 2021, LAROCHE engaged in a scheme to defraud Victim 1 and Victim 1’s businesses by withdrawing funds from Victim 1’s accounts under false pretenses and using the funds for her own benefit. Specifically, LAROCHE falsely represented that the funds were being used to pay federal income taxes. When Victim 1 asked LAROCHE about the status of Victim 1’s tax obligations, LAROCHE lied to Victim 1 as a means of hiding her scheme. LAROCHE also arranged for monthly payments to pay for an automobile insurance policy benefitting someone other than Victim 1 to be automatically withdrawn from Victim 1’s account without Victim 1’s knowledge or consent. In total, LAROCHE embezzled $233,363.53 from Victim 1.
LAROCHE faces up to twenty years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. Judge Sarah S. Vance scheduled the sentencing hearing for October 19, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Nicholas D. Moses and Jordan Ginsberg are in charge of the prosecution.