During the plea hearing, Whitaker pleads guilty to one count of wire fraud. In entering the guilty plea, Whitaker admits that from around 2003 until April 2017, while working as the office manager for the Association, she initiates personal charges and cash advances totaling $792,829.09 on her Association credit card at casinos in New Mexico, causing the Association to sustain an aggregate loss of $816,630.36. Whitaker further admits that she executes charges, cash advances, and payments by transmitting interstate wire communications.
“With today’s guilty plea, Ms. Whitaker begins the process of taking responsibility for violating the solemn trust that was placed in her to manage the affairs of the Association. This guilty plea reaffirms the Justice Department’s commitment to investigate and prosecute fraudulent conduct that adversely impacts the lives of innocent victims.”
