On Tuesday, August 29, 2017, Acting United States Attorney Corey R. Amundson announced that 46-year-old Shirley Whittington of St. Francisville, Louisiana had been sentenced to probation. Whittington will be required to serve 5 years of probation and will also be required to make restitution of $115,519.98 to the Angola Employees Recreation Committee. The court has also ordered Whittington to forfeit an additional $115,519.98 of illegal proceeds from her criminal activity.
During the criminal activities, Whittington served as the Colonel at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. She was also the Treasurer with AERC, which is a limited liability company founded to enrich members through community events and recreational activities. AERC raised funds through various means and the organization’s finances were subject to internal audits and reviews.
Whittington pleaded guilty to wire fraud on February 15, 2017. She admitted to fraudulently diverting AERC funds for her own benefit and the benefit of associates from 2009 to 2016. The funds were used for purchases made online and at local retailers. Some of the money was obtained through ATM withdrawals, cash back and counter check transactions. The defendant pleaded guilty to removing money from rodeo concession sale deposits as well.
During the course of the scheme, Whittington took thousands of dollars which belonged to AERC. She hid her crimes with material misrepresentations in the organization’s records. Shirley Whittington has been ordered to serve 5 years of probation.