Bookkeeper, sister sentenced for embezzlement of $1.5 million from Florence Co. business

FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — A bookkeeper for a business in Florence County and her sister were sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud on Thursday.

Margaret Wood Heilman, 66, of Darlington County, and Katherine Ward Gray, 60, of Florence County both pled guilty and received their sentencing.

As a bookkeeper, Heilman had access to the business’s bank accounts and had signature authority. Authorities presented evidence in court that showed Heilman began to write checks to herself and others, including her sister, Gray, for personal expenses in 2014.

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According to the release, Heilman made the checks look like legitimate business expenses on the business’s general ledger.

The investigation found that Heilman defrauded the company out of $1.5 million.

Heilman was sentenced to 20 months in prison, followed by a three-year court-ordered supervision. She was ordered to pay $1.5 million in restitution.

Gray was sentenced to seven months in prison, followed by a three-year court-ordered supervision. She was ordered to pay $234,131.82 in restitution.