An ex-payroll manager at a small firm in Louisiana recently pleaded guilty to wire fraud after reaching a deal with prosecutors in the wake of a major monetary scandal.
Shavonda Chambers, 43, formerly of Aaron & Gianna, was indicted back in February, and accused of transferring “reimbursements” to her own personal accounts during her tenure at the firm, from 2017 to 2023. Chambers started taking $10,500 per paycheck, and later increased that amount through the pandemic, with her “reimbursements” eventually totaling more than $2.5 million. According to court records, she used these funds to purchase at least eight new cars.
As noted by NOLA.com, the firm finally caught on to the seven-figure financial heist when Chambers went on vacation and someone else had to cover her work. Aaron & Gianna has filed a civil suit against their former payroll manager.
Chambers will not only have to spend time behind bars, but will also be expected to reimburse the firm. Her lawyer previously said she’d “do the best she can to make restitution.”
Chambers is expected to be sentenced in September.
Former law firm payroll manager pleads guilty to theft of $2.5 million [NOLA.com]
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on X/Twitter and Threads or connect with her on LinkedIn.
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