BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- A Portland, Oregon, woman has pleaded guilty to embezzling $850,000 through a scheme that transferred unused money in flexible spending accounts to her private accounts.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Idaho says 45-year-old Sara Curnow pleaded guilty Wednesday to wire fraud in U.S. District Court in Boise, Idaho.
Authorities say Curnow worked for Pinnacle Pension Services headquartered in Boise. Pinnacle handled flexible spending accounts for St. Luke's Health System. Employees deposited pre-tax funds into accounts and Pinnacle approved disbursements.
Unused funds at year-end were supposed to be forfeited to St. Luke's. Authorities say Curnow saw which St. Luke's employees left forfeitures and created dummy claims payments, routing the money to her accounts.
She faces up to 20 years in prison at her sentencing on Aug. 30.
