Woman admits to wire fraud scheme to embezzle from employer

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (KIFI) – An Osburn, Idaho woman pleaded guilty to wire fraud.

According to court records, Trina Marie Welch, 48, of Osburn, Idaho, was employed by Kasco of Idaho, LLC as a bookkeeper from 2012 until July 3, 2019. Beginning in at least 2013 and continuing until the day she was terminated on July 3, 2019, Welch used her position as a bookkeeper to engage in a scheme and plan to defraud Kasco and engage in a scheme to obtain money and property by making materially false and fraudulent representations and promises. In summary, Welch embezzled funds from Kasco by writing and creating at least 341 checks which were drawn on the Kasco bank account. Those checks were written to Welch's own credit cards and money was applied to the credit cards outstanding balances. During the plea hearing, Welch admitted that in 2017 alone she took over $930,000 just to pay her Bank of America credit cards. Welch admitted she bought properties for herself and others related to her and spent the money at spas, travel for herself and family and friends, and other personal endeavors. Welch admitted that she took at least $1,500,000, and acknowledged that the United States contends she took at least $3,674,338.86 in total. As part of the plea agreement, Welch agreed to pay restitution and forfeit her interest in any of the properties she bought with the money.

Welch is scheduled to be sentenced on April 13, 2022, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which led to charges.