News Release from U.S. Attorney’s Office – Eastern Dist. of Wash.
Posted on FlashAlert: November 27th, 2024 11:36 AM
Posted on FlashAlert: November 27th, 2024 11:36 AM
Spokane, Washington – On November 27, 2024, United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Carol Dacaymat Casilla to 24 months in federal prison in connection with Casilla’s fraud and embezzlement of more than $715,000 from a Spokane medical practice at which she was employed between 2020 and 2023. Judge Rice also imposed 3 years of supervised release, as well as restitution to the victims in the amount of $715,255.09. According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, between May 2020 and March 2023, Casilla was employed as an accountant by Spokane Dermatology Clinic (SDC), a dermatological practice located in Spokane. While employed at SDC, Casilla used her position to fraudulently issue company checks to herself and deposit them into her own personal accounts, and to make electronic funds transfers using company funds toward her personal credit cards. According to court documents, some of the transfers were made to a fictitious company that Casilla created in order to make it appear as though the transfers were for legitimate company expenditures. Casilla made hundreds of fraudulent transfers in this manner, stealing more than $715,000 in total. “Ms. Casilla betrayed her employer’s trust and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars,” stated United States Attorney Vanessa Waldref. “Accountants and financial professionals like Ms. Casilla are given a significant amount of control over a company’s finances. This sentence should send a message that those who abuse their positions of trust to enrich themselves will be held accountable. I want to especially commend the stellar investigative work in this case done by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Spokane Resident Agency. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who commit fraud and financial crimes.” This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Spokane Resident Agency. Assistant United States Attorney Dan Fruchter prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
