Last June 4, Hess pleaded guilty for bank fraud and money laundering. Hess worked as a bookkeeper at SSL Enterprises from May 2006 through November 2007. Hess admitted that, primarily between July and October 2007, she made seven unauthorized wire transfers from an SSL Enterprises bank account to her personal bank account.

Hess also admitted that, between August 2006 and October 2007, she created 18 unauthorized checks for which she either forged her employer’s name or used a signature stamp. All of the checks were made payable to Hess and she deposited them into her personal bank account. The total loss for this portion of the fraud was more than $300,000.

Hess’s employer had a personal credit card with Wachovia. Hess obtained 11 customer checks from Wachovia, and wrote the checks payable to herself, forging her employer’s signature on each check and depositing the checks into her personal checking account. SSL Enterprises had a business credit card account with American Express. Hess utilized the business credit card to charge various unauthorized personal expenses, including groceries, clothing, spa visits, furniture, Amazon.com purchases and electronic equipment.