Richmond Heights Hotel Manager Admits Two Frauds Seeking $324,000

ST. LOUIS - A manager of a Richmond Heights, Missouri hotel on Friday admitted fraudulently obtaining $153,518 by manipulating the hotel's computer system, attempting to steal another $61,998 that way and attempting to steal $109,000 from hotel customers via credit card fraud.

Angelique Patterson, 39, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis Wednesday to five counts of wire fraud. She admitted that while the hotel's assistant general manager, she manipulated the hotel's reservation system and altered the records of customers who had paid using cash or credit cards. Patterson retroactively changed those reservations to falsely show that the customers had used the hotel's loyalty rewards system "points" for their stay. She then added her own credit or debit card information into the system and had the customers' payments "refunded" to her.

Patterson admitted fraudulently refunding a total of $153,518 to herself from March through October of 2023. On Oct. 4, 2023, although not on duty, Patterson tried to use the hotel's desk computer and a coworker's credentials to fraudulently refund herself an additional $61,998.

Patterson also admitted using hotel customers' credit card information from August through September to 2021 to make fake charges via the entertainment company she owned, Angel Entertains LLC. She obtained or tried to obtain $109,000 that way.

Patterson is scheduled to be sentenced December 5. Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. She will also be ordered to repay the money.

The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cort VanOstran is prosecuting the case.