Four people, including three former Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee employees, have been charged with 15 federal counts stemming from a multi-year embezzlement scheme.
Brandi Ellis, 45; Jason Flanders, 51; Ramon Hernandez, 45; and Jezlia Barajas, 39, are charged with bank fraud, money laundering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, intimidating a witness, and making false statements.
Prosecutors claim that finance director Brandi Ellis and CFO Jason Flanders “issued unauthorized checks to themselves and third parties from the nonprofit’s bank accounts.” ” The indictment also alleges that Ellis exploited the non-profit’s credit cards for personal purchases, including at Gucci and the Venetian/Palazzo in Las Vegas.”
The four people involved reportedly embezzled nearly $2 million from the nonprofit.
Ellis is scheduled to make her first court appearance on February 20.
If convicted of all charges, each individual could face up to 55 years in jail.
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