Former Treasurer Admits Guilt in Scheme to Defraud Sorority Alumnae Association

DES MOINES, IA - On June 2, 2016, Andrea G. Baker waived indictment and pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud announced Acting United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Baker, age 50, admitted to engaging in a scheme to defraud the Ames Chi Omega Alumnae Association in Ames, Iowa ("Association"), from approximately July 2000 until August 2014. Baker admitted she used her position as treasurer to obtain Association funds for her own benefit. As part of the scheme, Baker mailed checks from the Association’s account to pay for personal credit card statements. Baker also deposited Association funds into a personal bank account, and obtained cash from the Association for her personal use. Baker acted without the Association’s permission or knowledge, and made false entries and omissions in the Association’s financial records to conceal her use of funds. Baker admitted she received and attempted to receive a total of at least $954,410 from the Association from 2000 to 2014.

Baker faces a statutory sentence of up to twenty (20) years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of up to three (3) years of supervised release to follow any term of imprisonment. As part of the plea agreement, Baker agreed to pay restitution in an amount to be determined by the court at sentencing. Sentencing is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on October 6, 2016, before United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger, at the United States Courthouse in Des Moines.