Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 56-year-old Julieann McCarty of Depew pleaded guilty yesterday before Acting State Supreme Court Justice Debra L. Givens to one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree (Class “E” felony). She pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge.

Between May of 2020 and July of 2021, multiple bank accounts were opened for the deposit of illegally obtained state and federal COVID-19 benefits and additional accounts with the defendant’s address were used for the fraudulent application and delivery of funds. The defendant, acting as a “money mule” for the purposes of receiving the funds illegally from several states and the federal government, transferred that money to other unidentified parties and retained some of the benefits herself. The loss to the state and federal government exceeded $100,000.   

McCarty faces a maximum 4 years in prison when she is sentenced on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. She was released on her own recognizance as the charge is non-qualifying for bail.

DA Flynn commends the US Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, US Secret Service, US Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, and US Postal Inspection Service for their work in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Chief Candace K. Vogel of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions (SIP) Bureau.