A federal grand jury has indicted Christina Ann Mobley, also known as Kris Mobley, aged 58, on charges of defrauding her former employer, a construction company in Fortuna, California. The indictment was filed on February 5, 2025.
Mobley served as the business manager for the construction company and assumed additional responsibilities after the bookkeeper retired. Her duties included managing accounting entries and assisting with bill payments, payroll taxes, employee health benefits, government contracts, among other tasks.
The indictment alleges that Mobley's fraudulent activities involved several methods. She reportedly directed checks from the company's bank account to pay her personal credit card accounts; made electronic payments using company funds to settle her personal credit cards; used the company's credit card for personal expenses such as cash advances at casinos and personal travel; wrote checks from the company to herself; inflated vacation time, work hours, and bonuses in the payroll system; and issued duplicate payroll checks and unearned bonus payments to herself. Between January 2022 and November 2024, it is alleged that Mobley embezzled over $500,000 from her employer.
Mobley faces three counts of mail fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1341 and seven counts of wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1343. She appeared initially in federal district court in McKinleyville, California this morning and was released on bond with conditions set by the Court. Her next appearance is scheduled for February 26, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., before Senior U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer.
United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Dan Costin announced these developments.
"An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt," they stated. If convicted on these charges, Mobley could face up to 20 years in prison for each count under the specified statutes (18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 and 1343), along with a fine of $250,000 or twice the value of property involved in transactions subject to forfeiture and restitution considerations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Barry is leading this prosecution with assistance from Marina Ponomarchuk following an investigation by the FBI.