Two former bookkeepers for the Wyandotte County District Court, Julia Roberts and Vicki Robinson, have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a wire fraud conspiracy that resulted in the theft of nearly $1 million in taxpayer funds. The federal judge sentenced Roberts, 65, of Leavenworth, to 41 months in prison, while Robinson, 63, of Bonner Springs, received a 27-month sentence. Both pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud conspiracy.
Roberts, who was the accounting supervisor until her retirement in 2020, and Robinson used their positions to steal approximately $980,000. Their scheme involved taking incoming cash and generating fraudulent checks with forged signatures of the clerk of court. These checks were fabricated to appear as legitimate judgment disbursements or other court business, serving to conceal the missing cash.
During the period of the thefts, Roberts engaged in significant casino transactions, including over $1 million in 2017, and deposited more than $80,000 in cash into her personal bank accounts. Robinson also deposited $20,000 in cash into her account. Both admitted their involvement to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with Roberts saying she devised the plan and Robinson was involved from the beginning.
The scheme resulted in a total loss of $979,962 to the Wyandotte County District Court between 2018 and 2023. As part of their sentences, Roberts and Robinson are individually and collectively responsible for paying this full amount in restitution.
U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser said, "Roberts and Robinson worked together, stole together, and together conspired to cover up their crimes. They were as thick as thieves, and now the two thieves are headed to prison for stealing from the Wyandotte County District Court." Chris Ormerod, FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge, said that the FBI has "zero tolerance" for those who exploit public office for personal enrichment.