Slidell Woman Charged With Wire Fraud and Identity Theft

U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced yesterday (July 25, 2019) that Rachel E. Lipps (38) of Slidell was charged on Friday, July 19, 2019 in an indictment for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

According to the indictment, between January 2013 and October 2017, Lipps served as a part-time bookkeeper for a business domiciled in Slidell. She was entrusted with the daily accounting. She fraudulently printed checks made payable to herself and several of her creditors.  The business  terminated Lipps' employment in October 2017. The sum of the checks charged in the indictment is $50,387.88.

If convicted of wire fraud, Lipps faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty (20) years, a fine of not more than $250,000, three years supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment fee.  If convicted of aggravated identity theft, Lipps faces a mandatory consecutive sentence of two (2) years, a fine of no more than $250,000, supervised release term up to one (1) year following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment fee.

Click here to view the Indictment.

United States Attorney Strasser reiterated that an Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.