ST. LOUIS—A former finance chief for Moore Automotive Group in Ellisville, pleaded guilty Friday for looting the company of more than $2.4 million to pay personal expenses, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Julie Diane Lewis, 48, of Lake Saint Louis, gave her plea before U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber. She faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, as well as forfeiture of ill-gotten properties and cash.

Lewis was chief financial officer of the Moore Automotive Group from 1997 until she resigned in September 2005. She was accused in March of having made 61 payments from the bank accounts of her boss, Ronald Moore, to cover her credit card bills.

Lewis plead guilty of wire fraud and agreed to forfeitures that include her home in Lake Saint Louis, another in Bonita Springs, Fla. and 12 acres in Warren County.

Lewis remains free on bond pending sentencing. Judge Webber set sentencing for Nov. 27.

0 Comments