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U.S. Department of Justice United States Attorney's Office 800 Federal Office Building Ph: (901) 544-4231
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PRESS RELEASE |
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LEIGH ANNE JORDON (901) 544-4231 |
December 20, 2006
Indictment Returned Against Former MED Employee
Memphis, Tennessee- David Kustoff, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the return of an indictment against Cassandra J. Stanfield, a former employee at the Regional Medical Center Memphis. The 32-count indictment was returned today by a Federal Grand Jury in Western District of Tennessee.
The indictment alleges that in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005, Stanfield was employed in the Med’s Patient Financial Services Department as “lead cashier” in an area referred to as the “cash cage.” The first four counts of the indictment allege that in each of those years Stanfield embezzled “monies in the amount of $5,000 or more” which were owned by, and under the custody and control of the Med. Federal jurisdiction was conferred in the case because the indictment alleges that the Med received benefits in excess of $10,000 in each of those years through Federal grants, contracts, and insurance. If convicted, Stanfield faces a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on each embezzlement charge.
The indictment also alleges that Stanfield violated federal money laundering statues by engaging in financial transactions in proceeds derived from the embezzlement. Among the transactions alleged in the indictment are 19 separate cash payments made to Logan Builders for the construction of a house at 1190 Fall Springs Road in Collierville, Tennessee. According to the information alleged in the indictment the 19 payments to Logan Builders were made in 2004 and 2005 and totaled $597,595. The indictment also alleges that Stanfield used some of the stolen monies to purchase two cashiers checks payable to “Jeffrey Jones Attorney at Law.” The indictment alleges that Stanfield purchased the first check payable to Jones on March 11, 2005 in the amount of $15,000. The second check payable to Jones in the amount of $20,000 is alleged to have been purchased on March 25, 2005, with $20,000 cash in $20 bills. Each of the 24 counts of money laundering alleged in the indictment carries a maximum penalty of not more than ten years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
The indictment also charges Stanfield with three counts of tax evasion. According to the indictment Stanfield reported taxable income of $22,428 on her 2002 federal income tax return, and $6,678 on her 2003 federal income tax return. The indictment alleges that in each of those years Stanfield knew her taxable income was substantially in excess of the amounts she had reported, and that she owed additional taxes. With respect to calendar year 2004, the indictment alleges that Stanfield received taxable income in the approximate amount of $968,523.20 on which she owed approximately $317,051.12 in taxes. According to the indictment Stanfield failed to file tax return for 2004, and pay the taxes owed, and that she took steps to conceal her true and correct income. Each count of tax evasion carries a maximum penalty of not more than five years imprisonment and a $100,000 fine.
The indictment also alleges that on or about March 15, 2005, Stanfield engaged in wire fraud in a scheme to obtain a 2005 Mercedes Benz S500. The indictment alleges that in connection with a credit application to finance the purchase of the Mercedes, Stanfield falsely reported to Mercedes Benz of Memphis and Daimler Chrysler Services of North America that she had been employed at ILAM Logistics for 3 years and earned $60,000 per year in gross salary or wages. If convicted of the wire fraud charge, Stanfield faces a maximum penalty of not more than 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000.
The indictment also includes forfeiture allegations, and seeks forfeiture of all monies, property and assets which are traceable to Stanfield’s criminal conduct.
The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carroll André. The matter was investigated by the Memphis Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service- Criminal Investigation.