Kimberly Lawson, a woman from Philadelphia, has been sentenced to 60 months in prison for defrauding her employer and the U.S. government. The United States District Court Judge Michael M. Baylson handed down the sentence, which includes five years of supervised release and a restitution payment of $244,343.
Lawson, age 44, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to charges of bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and wire fraud. This followed her indictment in September 2023. The reported total fraud loss from her activities amounts to $273,817.80, with $250,817.80 attributed to workplace embezzlement and $23,000 to fraudulent government claims.
Between 2018 and 2020, while employed as an office manager at an electrical contracting company, Lawson used her position to embezzle funds. She manipulated the company's financial records and accessed external accounts. Her fraudulent activities included unauthorized payroll transactions and false vendor payments. Lawson's attempts to steal from her employer included failed 401k loan applications.
In addition to workplace embezzlement, Lawson fraudulently applied for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) from the Small Business Administration (SBA), using various aliases. She claimed false business activities, with applications only submitted under her husband’s and sister-in-law's names resulting in approved loans, amounting to $23,000.
Lawson's criminal history is notable for a prior conviction in 2012 for defrauding another employer of over $293,000, which led to 21 months' imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney David Metcalf commented on the case: “Kimberly Lawson’s greed is her downfall. This is now the second time that she’s being sentenced for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from an employer — and this go-round, she decided to defraud the federal government, as well. Perhaps today’s longer prison term will prove more impactful than her first.”
Assistant Special Agent in Charge Dave Carter of FBI Philadelphia stated: “Through a multitude of deceptions and manipulations, Ms. Lawson stole from her employer and from the United States in the pursuit of her own personal gain. This sentencing serves as a reminder that those who exploit their positions for financial profits will be held accountable."
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, and Assistant United States Attorney Anita Eve is handling the prosecution.