Stephanie L. Roberts, a former executive director of a Gastonia non-profit for cancer patients, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for embezzling thousands of dollars from the organization. This announcement was made by Lawrence J. Cameron, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
In addition to her prison sentence, Roberts will serve two years under court supervision and is required to pay $157,722.69 in restitution to the non-profit and $62,612 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Acting U.S. Attorney Cameron was joined by Donald “Trey” Eakins from the IRS Criminal Investigation Charlotte Field Office, Jason Krizmanich from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Atlanta Division, and Chief Trent Conard of the Gastonia Police Department in announcing the sentencing.
“Roberts treated a nonprofit organization meant to support cancer patients as her personal piggy bank," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Cameron. "Roberts will now be held accountable for her reprehensible actions."
Court documents revealed that Roberts embezzled over $136,000 from Cancer Services of Gaston County between January 8, 2016, and January 21, 2022. Additionally, she admitted to not paying more than $200,000 withheld from employee paychecks for federal taxes to the IRS. She also submitted false tax returns claiming incorrect amounts were paid.
Roberts pleaded guilty on March 22, 2024, to charges including theft related to health care and making false tax returns. She will report to a federal facility designated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
The investigation was conducted by IRS-CI, USPIS, and the Gastonia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Savage prosecuted the case.