WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17,1999

FORMER DOJ EMPLOYEE PLEADS GUILTY TO $ 1 MILLION DOLLAR THEFT

WASHINGTON, DC ---- A former Department of Justice paralegal, yesterday pleaded guilty in Las Vegas to criminal charges that she stole more than $1 million in government funds.

The three-count felony information against Elizabeth L. Simmons, also included related income tax charges and charges of making false statements to the government.

Ms. Simmons, 44, faces a potential sentence of 18 years in prison. U. S. District Judge Johnnie B. Rawlinson set a sentencing date for June 25, 1999.

The felony information filed against Ms. Simmons charges that between 1992 and 1998, through her position at the Las Vegas U. S. Attorney's Office, Ms. Simmons submitted thousands of fictitious witness vouchers to the U. S. Marshall's Service through which she obtained reimbursement checks, she then cashed or deposited for her own use.

As part of her scheme, Ms. Simmons under-reported her income for federal income tax purposes during the period in question and also made numerous false statements on the fictitious vouchers.

There is no evidence that anyone else conspired with Ms. Simmons to commit these offenses.

As part of her plea agreement, Ms. Simmons agreed to seek to make full restitution of the amount she stole and to sign all documents that are necessary for the Federal Government to attempt to recover this amount.

The U. S. Secret Service in Las Vegas investigated the case, and the prosecution is being handled by Robert J. Meyer and Kimberly D. Kessler of the Public Integrity Section in Washington, DC.