Two women from Thurston County, Washington, have been indicted on charges of bank fraud. Beth Ann Hayes and Kaydee Jean Baker are accused of unauthorized use of a bank account belonging to the Kalispel Tribe’s Northern Quest Resort & Casino.
The US Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, Vanessa R. Waldref, announced that a federal grand jury had indicted Hayes and Baker. The charges stem from allegations that the two women illegally accessed and utilized the bank account of the Northern Quest Resort & Casino to write checks totaling over $30,000.
The investigation leading to these charges was conducted by the Kalispell Tribal Police Department, with significant assistance from the FBI. Both agencies collaborated closely to uncover the alleged fraudulent activities.
In Washington state, those convicted of fraud can face severe penalties, including fines and lengthy prison sentences. If convicted, Hayes and Baker could face up to 30 years in prison and be required to pay restitution for the funds obtained through fraudulent means.
It is important to remember that an indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Commitment to combatting financial fraud
US Attorney Waldref emphasized the critical role of financial system integrity in maintaining community safety. She stated, “My office will continue to work closely with our federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement partners to hold fraudsters accountable when they attempt to abuse the financial system for personal gain.”
Waldref underscored the importance of preserving the trustworthiness of the financial system, saying, “The integrity of our financial system is essential to keeping communities safe and strong.”
The charges against Hayes and Baker allege that the two ordered checks featuring a routing number and bank account that did not belong to them. Instead of using their own accounts, they allegedly used an account number linked to Northern Quest Resort & Casino, attempting to use the unauthorized funds for their own purposes.
In other news, two individuals involved in an illegal gambling operation in New York were recently sentenced to 10 months of home detention each. This case is part of broader efforts across the country to combat illegal financial activities.
