Woman Pleads Guilty to $700K Theft From Employer

A former office manager at a Paducah business pleaded guilty Friday in federal court to embezzling more than $700,000 from her employer.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Paducah says 39-year-old Kristen Renee Roberts entered a guilty plea in U.S. District Court to charges of wire fraud and identity theft. According to the plea agreement, Roberts admitted that between June 2009 and October 2016 she used company credit cards for her own personal expenses.  She also reportedly used company funds to pay off her own personal credit cards and the personal credit cards of her family. 

Roberts was employed as the office manager for Utilities Dynamics on Lovelaceville Road.

The agreement also says Roberts admitted to overpaying herself using direct deposits from the company's bank account into her own account. It says she hid her scheme by creating fake payroll payments to other employees, and by creating fake invoices. 

Roberts faces up to 22 years in prison and a fine up to $500,000. She remains free on bond, with sentencing set for Jan. 31.