THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE

THE DISTRCIT OF RHODE ISLAND

NEWS

News Release
U.S. Department of Justice
Peter F. Neronha
United States Attorney
District of Rhode Island

July 30, 2012

MET School Employee Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Federal Funds

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Yashira Marrero, 27, of Providence, an administrative assistant for the 21st Century program at the Met School in Providence, pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence today to embezzling more than $27,000 of federal funds from the program, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha.

Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith, Marrero admitted that between November 2007 and June 2009, she embezzled $27,400.19 from the 21st Century program by creating fictitious invoices from vendors, then forging endorsement signatures on payment checks and depositing the checks into her own bank account. Marrero also admitted to the court that she used a travel credit card belonging to the 21st Century program for personal expenses, including travel to Puerto Rico with her boyfriend.

The embezzlement schemes were discovered during an audit by the Rhode Island Department of Education.

Marrero, who pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a program receiving federal funds, faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison followed by up to 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 when she is sentenced on October 26, 2012.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly.

The matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Education – Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.