U.S.

Department of J ustice

Ronald C. Machen Jr.
United States Attorney for the
District of Columbia
Judiciary Center
555 Fourth St. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, J une 16, 2014
For Information Contact:
Public Affairs
(202) 252-6933
http://www.justice.gov/usao/dc/index.html

District Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Over $193,000
In Four-Year Scheme Against Charitable Organization
-Used Money for Vacations, Personal Training, Other Personal Expenses-

WASHINGTON Maria Herrmann, 53, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty today in the
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to one count of wire fraud related to her
embezzlement of over $193,000 from a charitable organization from 2004 through 2008.

The guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen J r. and Gary R.
Barksdale, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Herrmann is to be sentenced on Sept. 4, 2014, before the Honorable J ames E. Boasberg.
On the wire fraud charge, she faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. In
addition, as part of her guilty plea, Herrmann agreed to forfeit the amount of her fraudulent
proceeds, $193,770, and pay the same amount in restitution to the charitable foundation.

As part of her guilty plea, Herrmann admitted that, between May 2004 and J une 2008,
she operated an on-line e-store with operations meant to raise funds for a non-profit charitable
organization. To raise funds, the e-store auctioned various donated goods and services, as well
as travel and vacation packages. Herrmann admitted to embezzling over $193,000 by wiring
herself funds from the charitys account, by using the e-store account to pay for personal
purchases, and by other means.

Herrmann admitted using the charitys funds to pay for vacations, personal training, pet
care and pet supplies, and gourmet coffee, among other things. Finally, Herrmann admitted
disguising her embezzlement from the charity by underreporting the e-stores revenue.

In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Machen and Inspector in Charge Barksdale
expressed appreciation for the work done by those who investigated the case from the U.S.
Postal Inspection Service. They also commended the work of those who handled the case from
the U.S. Attorneys Office, including Paralegal Specialists Krishawn Graham and Donna
Galindo, and Assistant U.S. Attorney J onathan Hooks, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

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