Martinsburg woman pleads guilty to mail fraud after stealing money from employer

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Debra Moses, 47, of Martinsburg, pled guilty today to mail fraud, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Cassell and Prinz, PLLC, a law firm located in Charles Town, West Virginia, represents clients before the United States Social Security Administration. The Social Security Administration mails checks to the firm to compensate the firm’s lawyers for the attorney’s fees associated with successful social security claims handled by the firm. While employed as a legal assistant at Cassell and Prinz, Moses misappropriated in excess of $300,000 by repeatedly depositing these compensation checks, intended for the firm’s lawyers, into her own personal bank account.

Moses pled guilty today to one count of “Mail Fraud.” She faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Camilletti prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The United States Secret Service and the United States Social Security Administration investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.