CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Gastonia woman has pleaded guilty to charges that she took money from her own cancer nonprofit while also failing to pay required employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The U.S. District Attorney's Office in Charlotte announced on Friday that 54-year-old Stephanie L. Roberts had pleaded guilty to theft in connection with healthcare, failure to truthfully account for and pay over trust fund taxes, and making and subscribing a false tax return. She could face up to 18 years in federal prison upon sentencing.
Federal prosecutors said Roberts was the executive director of the nonprofit, which provides support and resources for cancer patients. She admitted to embezzling more than $136,000 from the nonprofit and also failed to pay more than $200,000 in employment taxes withheld from employee paychecks. Those taxes are paid to the IRS for federal income, Medicare, and Social Security.
Additionally, Roberts admitted to filing a false tax return for herself. Prosecutors said she falsely stated the amount of tax withheld from her wages and claimed that amount was paid to the IRS.
As part of her plea agreement, Roberts will be required to pay full restitution to the nonprofit. She will also be subject to additional court fines and a forfeiture money judgment upon sentencing.
So far, a date for her sentencing hasn't been set.