Eunice, NM Man Pleads Guilty For Role In $2.5 Million Embezzlement Scheme
By: Dylan Brooks
Updated: January 10, 2013
ALBUQUERQUE, NM -- A Eunice, NM man has pleaded guilty for participating in a more than $2.5 million embezzlement scheme.
Michael Patterson pleaded guilty to 2 counts of wire fraud and one count of wire fraud conspiracy in Albuquerque, NM on January 3rd.
Patterson -- a former sales manager for Sundance Services, Inc. in Eunice -- fraudulently transferred $155,556 from the company's account to a separate account, allegedly for his own use.
Patterson, Donna Roach and Kelly Roach also allegedly embezzled more than $2.5 million from Sundance Services, Inc. by making payments to a fake business called AR Construction between 2005 and 2008.
Patterson reportedly withdrew the money that had been funneled to the bogus company for personal use.
Federal authorities say at least 47 invoices were made from Sundance Services, Inc. to AR Construction.
Those invoices reportedly totaled $858,745.
Donna Roach -- who served as president of Sundance Services, Inc. from 1998 to 2008 -- also allegedly issued and signed unauthorized paychecks and bonus check to further defraud Sundance Services, Inc.
The unauthorized checks were then reportedly deposited into bank accounts at the Lea Community Federal Credit Union for Kelly and Donna Roach and the Lea County State Bank for Patterson.
Donna and Kelly Roach -- who was the plant manager for Sundance Services, Inc. --- also allegedly used Sundance Services, Inc. credit cards for personal vacations, furniture and elective surgery.
Donna and Kelly Roach also reportedly made payments from Sundance Services, Inc. accounts to cover personal expenses, including home construction.
Under the indictment, federal authorities seized an ice machine, two motorcycles, a Chevrolet Silverado, a Chevrolet Camaro and at least $1,237,966.
Donna and Kelly Roach are supposed to stand trial on February 4th, but officials with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Albuquerque tell Big 2 that the date might be pushed back.
Meanwhile, Patterson faces up to 60 years in federal prison, along with a $250,000 fine.
A sentencing date for Patterson hasn't yet been set.
Michael Patterson pleaded guilty to 2 counts of wire fraud and one count of wire fraud conspiracy in Albuquerque, NM on January 3rd.
Patterson -- a former sales manager for Sundance Services, Inc. in Eunice -- fraudulently transferred $155,556 from the company's account to a separate account, allegedly for his own use.
Patterson, Donna Roach and Kelly Roach also allegedly embezzled more than $2.5 million from Sundance Services, Inc. by making payments to a fake business called AR Construction between 2005 and 2008.
Patterson reportedly withdrew the money that had been funneled to the bogus company for personal use.
Federal authorities say at least 47 invoices were made from Sundance Services, Inc. to AR Construction.
Those invoices reportedly totaled $858,745.
Donna Roach -- who served as president of Sundance Services, Inc. from 1998 to 2008 -- also allegedly issued and signed unauthorized paychecks and bonus check to further defraud Sundance Services, Inc.
The unauthorized checks were then reportedly deposited into bank accounts at the Lea Community Federal Credit Union for Kelly and Donna Roach and the Lea County State Bank for Patterson.
Donna and Kelly Roach -- who was the plant manager for Sundance Services, Inc. --- also allegedly used Sundance Services, Inc. credit cards for personal vacations, furniture and elective surgery.
Donna and Kelly Roach also reportedly made payments from Sundance Services, Inc. accounts to cover personal expenses, including home construction.
Under the indictment, federal authorities seized an ice machine, two motorcycles, a Chevrolet Silverado, a Chevrolet Camaro and at least $1,237,966.
Donna and Kelly Roach are supposed to stand trial on February 4th, but officials with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Albuquerque tell Big 2 that the date might be pushed back.
Meanwhile, Patterson faces up to 60 years in federal prison, along with a $250,000 fine.
A sentencing date for Patterson hasn't yet been set.
