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* The SJ-R has the broad outline…
A Springfield woman was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday on charges of embezzling $400,000 or more from a Springfield consulting and lobbying firm.
Alice M. Foss, 50, of the 1400 block of South Fifth Street allegedly stole the funds from Don Moss and Associates, which specializes in services for people with disabilities and other social causes, from 1997 until 2010.
* Pretty much everybody knows Don Moss at the Statehouse. He has pushed to deinstitutionalize mental and developmentally disabled citizens for decades. Embezzling from him is really a lousy thing to do. From the US Attorney’s office…
According to the indictment, Foss was employed as the firm’s chief financial officer and assisted in the firm’s lobbying activity. In her capacity as chief financial officer, Foss had check-signing authority and control over the firm’s bank account and was responsible for paying the firm’s business expenses.
The indictment alleges that beginning as early as May 1997 and continuing to July 2010, Foss used her position at the firm to steal money and funds by repeatedly writing herself unauthorized bonus checks and reimbursements for fraudulent business expenses, and repeatedly using the firm’s bank account and credit card account to pay personal expenses. According to the indictment, Foss used wire transfers and the firm’s credit card account to pay for personal expenses including car payments, donations to a private school, clothing, groceries, gas, car washes and rental, hair salon and spa expenses, and veterinary bills.
Foss is scheduled to appear for arraignment on July 31, 2012, at 11:45 a.m. before U.S.
Magistrate Judge Byron G. Cudmore.If convicted, each count of mail/wire fraud (six counts) carries a maximum statutory penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. For credit card fraud (one count), the penalty is up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Final sentences are determined by the court. In imposing sentence, the court may consider federal sentencing guidelines, which include a defendant’s criminal history, the amount of loss, and other applicable factors.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 12, 12 @ 8:50 am
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Why doesn’t Moss list any clients in his lobbyist registration?
Comment by Coach Thursday, Jul 12, 12 @ 9:13 am
I’m always amazed when these stories pop up. Some accountants and outside auditors are just phoning it in, apparently.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 12, 12 @ 9:32 am
$400,000 for 13 year hits about $30,000 a year. Nice string of bonuses. She must be pretty good at covering her tracks or the company had a lousy financial review process. I would imagine their dues paying membership is not too happy. The CPA firms who did their audits must be thrilled with this news. The sad part is the organization really worked hard to develop credibility. Sometimes stuff happens with the people you trust the most. Sad.
Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Jul 12, 12 @ 9:41 am
I’ve been involved in the aftermath of a couple of these situations. Of course very often the person doing the imbezzling is the person providing the audit firm with material. It becomes a “garbage in - garbage out” situation in terms of the audit. I’ve also noticed that people doing this start small and get bolder with time. Somehow they convince themselves they “deserve” the money.
Comment by Way Way Down Here Thursday, Jul 12, 12 @ 9:48 am
Of all the lobbying firms to steal from, for shame, Ms. Foss! Call me a jerk, but I’d be laughing if she had stolen from ComEd’s lobbying firm(s).
Comment by Robert Thursday, Jul 12, 12 @ 10:14 am
No one deserves to be taken advantage of in this manner. Having said that I am not a big fan of Mr. Moss. I feel he took some cheap shots at State Workers in his time.
Some folks see their issue as trancending all else.
Comment by Bemused Thursday, Jul 12, 12 @ 10:28 am
Some folks see their issue as trancending all else.
Like State Workers? Just saying. Irony
Comment by That Guy Thursday, Jul 12, 12 @ 11:50 am
This has happened a lot in politics lately-the us senator from california, rep shays from ct, the nrcc, people need to watch themselves.
Comment by Shore Thursday, Jul 12, 12 @ 12:00 pm
Whoever handles cash or the checkbook must be bonded and insured against dishonesty. This is especially true of family members, the clergy and politicians.
Comment by Cook County Commoner Thursday, Jul 12, 12 @ 12:04 pm
FWIW: I don’t know what actually happened; but indictment doesn’t always equal guilt. She might be guilty or she might be innocent. I imagine that her reputation / job prospects as a lobbyist are already trashed by just the accusation. Let’s not automatically assume her guilt.
Comment by Logic not emotion Thursday, Jul 12, 12 @ 12:08 pm
Moss is a not playing above board. He doesn’t have a clue if money is missing or not. They are indicting the check-writer for writing checks.
Comment by desertpeace Thursday, Jul 12, 12 @ 2:15 pm
desertpeace: Don’t you think the feds would have identified your insinuations during the investigation and run up to the indictment. You’re accusing Moss and you don’t know squat.
Comment by Observing Thursday, Jul 12, 12 @ 4:02 pm
shades of the Dixon, IL city government fiasco….but cheaper. gotta love them low bid auditors,,,,,
Comment by one day at a time Thursday, Jul 12, 12 @ 5:10 pm
{shades of the Dixon, IL city government fiasco….but cheaper. gotta love them low bid auditors,,,,, }
Speaking of low bid auditors; check this out:
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-07-12/business/sns-rt-us-broker-pfgbest-auditorbre86b02n-20120711_1_attempt-on-monday-morning-auditor-futures-broker
Reassuring to know that the NFA would not know a HUGE RED FLAG, even if someone was slapping them across the face with it.
Comment by Quinn T. Sential Thursday, Jul 12, 12 @ 7:32 pm
Don’s a decent guy and this is just too bad. You have to trust other people but sometimes they turn out not to be trustworthy.
Comment by DuPage Dave Thursday, Jul 12, 12 @ 8:01 pm
observing - no , i don’t expect ‘the feds’ to do anything right
Comment by desertpeace Thursday, Jul 12, 12 @ 10:17 pm
Is this ironic? Someone lobbying the state for funds is not careful with his own?
Comment by Cards Fan Friday, Jul 13, 12 @ 8:18 am
I personally know miss Foss and feel that she is being falsly accused. He wanted her out and this was his plan.
Comment by prove it Friday, Jul 13, 12 @ 8:54 am