Scottsdale Office Manager Given Jail Term for Embezzling over $265,000

(Phoenix, Ariz. - May 19, 2010) Attorney General Terry Goddard today announced that Kacee Sissener, 29, of San Diego, Calif., and formerly of Scottsdale, has been sentenced to two years in the Maricopa County Jail for embezzling over $265,000 from a Scottsdale medical practice. She was extradited to Arizona last year to face criminal charges here.

Judge Roland Steinle of the Maricopa County Superior Court ordered that, in addition to her jail sentence, Sissener be placed on seven years of supervised probation with White Collar terms and pay $265,196 in restitution to her former employer. Sissener had pleaded guilty to fraudulent schemes and artifices, a class 2 felony, and theft, a class 4 felony.

As the office manager of a Scottsdale medical practice, Sissener had access to her employer’s bank account. Over an 18-month period, she embezzled money from the account to pay her personal American Express bills. She purchased high-end purses and other fashion items, spa treatments, computers, vacations for herself and others, all the while receiving her annual salary of more than $80,000. Initially, Sissener transferred $6,000-$10,000 per month to her American Express account; the last six transfers exceeded $16,000 per month.

Judge Steinle ordered Sissener to pay $2,500 monthly in restitution to the victim until all financial obligations are fulfilled. Failure to do so or violation of any of her other terms of probation could result in her being sentenced to prison for up to 16 years.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Michael Flynn, Gerald Richard and Monica Klapper. Special Agent Ron Gibson was the lead investigator in the case.

A photo of the defendant is attached. For additional information, contact Molly Edwards at 602-542-8019.