Shenandoah Man Indicted on Wire Fraud Charges

Press Release

Vernon Fisher Alleged to Have Stolen Over $200,000 From His Former Employer

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - A federal grand jury in Charlottesville, Virginia returned an indictment this week charging a Shenandoah, Virginia man with wire fraud for allegedly stealing over $200,000 from his former employer.

According to court documents, unsealed following the defendant's arrest, Vernon Fisher, 66, is charged with five counts of wire fraud.

The indictment alleges that from approximately 2017 and continuing through 2021, Fisher was employed by Victim Company, a plastics company located in Elkton, Virginia. Fisher served as an accountant and controller and his responsibilities included filing taxes, running payroll, managing cash, bank deposits, and paying company bills on behalf of Victim Company.

Fisher is alleged to have engaged in a multi-year scheme involving over 300 financial transactions totaling more than $200,000 to steal from and defraud Victim Company by linking his personal bank accounts to the Victim Company bank accounts. Fisher than funneled company money to his own accounts and used it for personal expenses at Neiman Marcus, Kay Jewelers, Macys, Nordstrom, and other high-end retailers.

In addition, Fisher linked his PayPal and Cash App accounts to Victim Company's accounts and transferred money to those accounts as well.

If convicted, Fisher faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Richmond Division made the announcement.

The FBI is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sally J. Sullivan is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Updated June 28, 2024