Defendant Used Software to Alter Business Bank Statements
OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, STEPHANIE FANNIN, 45, of Tishomingo, was sentenced to serve 18 months in federal prison for wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On April 12, 2023, Fannin was charged by Information with wire fraud. According to the Information, beginning in March 2014, and ending in April 2021, Fannin served as office manager for General Lighting and Sign Services, Incorporated (GLSS), a business located in Oklahoma City. The Information further alleged that between August 2018 and April 2021, Fannin issued at least 294 unauthorized checks from the GLSS bank account and defrauded GLSS out of approximately $1,432,260.03.
On May 3, 2023, Fannin pleaded guilty. As part of her guilty plea, Fannin admitted that she issued at least 294 unauthorized checks from GLSS. She further admitted that she used special computer software to alter bank statements to make it appear the unauthorized checks had been made payable to GLSS vendors, when in fact the checks were deposited into her personal bank account.
At the sentencing hearing yesterday, U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton sentenced Fannin to serve 18 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Judge Heaton also ordered Fannin to pay restitution in the amount of $1,432,260.03. In announcing the sentence, the court noted the extensive nature of Fannin’s scheme and ordered her to report to the Federal Bureau of Prisons to begin serving her federal prison sentence by December 14, 2023.
This case is the result of an investigation by the United States Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Brown prosecuted the case.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.