Vallejo Woman Admits To Embezzling More Than $875,035
Not-For-Profit Organization Victim Of Computer Fraud
SACRAMENTO--United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that JESSICA QUITUGUA SABATHIA, 31, of Vallejo, California pleaded guilty today to two counts of computer fraud for using her computer to embezzle more than $875,035 from North Bay Health Care Group ("North Bay"). North Bay is a not-for-profit organization which operates hospitals and clinics in Vacaville and Fairfield, California. Defendant SABATHIA had been charged in an Indictment returned May 27, 2004.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the United States Secret Service.
According to Assistant United States Attorney Robin R. Taylor, who is prosecuting the fraud, SABATHIA, formerly an accounts payable clerk for North Bay, admitted to using her computer to access North Bay's accounting software without the authority of her employer. As part of the fraud, SABATHIA issued approximately one hundred and twenty-seven checks payable to herself and others causing losses of at least $875,035. To conceal the fraud, SABATHIA altered the electronic check register to make it appear that the checks had been payable to North Bay's vendors. SABATHIA cashed several of the checks, and many were deposited into her bank account, and the bank accounts of others, and used for personal expenses.
SABATHIA’s sentencing date is set for October 6, 2004. SABATHIA faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and a $250,000 fine for each count of computer fraud.
