Attorney Spencer Freeman Discusses How A Pierce County Housing Authority Auditor Stole Seven Million Dollars! Really?

Ray Hrdlicka – Host – Attorneys.Media

“Hi, we’re here today with Spencer Freeman, criminal defense attorney in Pierce County, Washington. Spencer, I want to talk about an issue, that’s seriously a big news item, within the Pierce County court system. And that is the fact that a finance director…a finance auditor, excuse me, with the Pierce County housing agency, allegedly stole $7,000,000 over a four-year period. Just late last year, an audit occurred, they found out, and now she’s being charged. So, I’ve got a couple of questions. Of course, the feds are involved. So, even though it’s Pierce County Housing Authority, where’s the venue going to be? Is it going to be in federal court or is it going to be in state court?”

Spencer Freeman – Criminal Defense Attorney – Pierce County, WA

“Well, that’s going to be the result of a kind of battle or conflict or discussion between the local prosecutors and the U.S. Attorney’s office. And really, how much interest the U.S. Attorney’s office has in trying to prosecute this case. I think their interest comes in…in that the suspects allegedly used funds to purchase property in Oklahoma. But you can imagine that the local Pierce County prosecutors have a pretty significant interest in seeing this person prosecuted through the local courts.”

Ray Hrdlicka – Host – Attorneys.Media

“Well, you know, the news items say that there hasn’t…this went on for four years. And the amount of money that she stole, $7,000,000…the annual budget in that department is $32,000,000, and when you do the math, that’s literally 5% of that budget, being siphoned off every year, or obviously on the average. And that’s a huge amount of money. So, I can see where Pierce County is going to want to go after her. So, what is the extent of what she’s looking at, you know, in terms of punitive actions?”

Spencer Freeman – Criminal Defense Attorney – Pierce County, WA

“So, if we’re going to talk about this…if she’s charged here, in the state sentencing guidelines, it really depends on how the prosecutor decides to charge the case. If the prosecutor charges one or two charges, over long courses of time, then she’s looking at not a lot of time. But if the prosecutor breaks this down, let’s say, into month-by-month or two month increments of actions, and charges each of those increments as a separate count, then all of a sudden, she could be looking at 20+ counts. Then she’s looking at significant time, like years…close to a decade of time.”

Ray Hrdlicka – Host – Attorneys.Media

“Well, when you say, ‘not a lot of time’, if only one or two is charged, what are you talking…what is that? ‘Not a lot of time’?”

Spencer Freeman – Criminal Defense Attorney – Pierce County, WA

“I don’t have the sentencing guidelines right in front of me, but one count of theft in the first-degree is not multiple years. It’s very little time. The prosecutors here, given the $7,000,000, they’re going to charge this with multiple counts. I would imagine 20 or more counts.”

Ray Hrdlicka – Host – Attorneys.Media

“I would think you’re absolutely correct. Now they’ve sued her also. Last question. They’ve sued her, now civilly, trying to recoup money. And I would assume there’s restitution within the criminal case itself?”

Spencer Freeman – Criminal Defense Attorney – Pierce County, WA

“Yeah, the court…if she’s convicted, the court can order restitution. That restitution order would mimic, likely, what the Pierce County Housing Authority sued her for. Although the Housing Authority might be able to get some other things, such as interest or some costs in pursuing the suit. But they’ll mimic the suit. The benefit that the civil case provides, is that it potentially provides some ways to attach property, so that it’s not sold or moved on. So that they still have access to it, if it’s still around.”

Ray Hrdlicka – Host – Attorneys.Media

“Well, you actually mentioned what has already occurred. The judge has ordered her property seized, bank accounts, land, real estate, etcetera etcetera. So, we’ll keep a watch on it, and have you back for more information on this issue. Thanks Spencer.”

Spencer Freeman – Criminal Defense Attorney – Pierce County, WA

“All right. Thank you.”