Suspected Fraudsters Indicted in Bank Fraud Case from Washington

Two women, suspected of bank fraud were recently indicted. The case involves Beth Ann Hayes and Kaydee Jean Baker, both from Thurston County, Washington. The women are suspected of using a bank account belonging to the Kalispel Tribe’s Northern Quest Resort & Casino without authorization.

On Friday, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, Vanessa R. Waldref, confirmed that a federal jury has indicted both Hayes and Baker.

The two women face ten bank fraud charges related to the unauthorized access and use of a bank account belonging to the Kalispel Tribe’s Northern Quest Resort & Casino. The women allegedly wrote illegally more than $30,000 in checks.

The recent charges follow an investigation by the Kalispell Tribal Police Department. The FBI also played a key role in the investigation that ultimately resulted in the charges against Hayes and Baker.

Currently, people found guilty of fraud in Washington state can be subject to penalties that include fines and/or jail. If a person is found guilty and sentenced, they can face up to 30 years in prison, along with restitution of ill-gained funds.

Still, it’s important to note that an indictment represents an allegation that a person breached the law. All defendants are presumed innocent before proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Agencies Will Continue the Fight Against Financial Fraud

US Attorney Waldref spoke about the importance of the integrity of the financial system that ensures the safety of communities. Moreover, she explained: “My office will continue to work closely with our federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement partners to hold fraudsters accountable when they attempt to abuse the financial system in order to line their own pockets.”

“The integrity of our financial system is essential to keeping communities safe and strong.“

Vanessa R. Waldref, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington

The charges against Hayes and Baker allege the two ordered checks that displayed a routing number and a bank account that didn’t belong to them. Instead of using one of their own accounts, the two women allegedly displayed a bank account number that belonged to Northern Quest Resort & Casino. After that, the two women attempted to use the funds from the unauthorized account for their own benefit.

Elsewhere, across the country, illegal gambling ring leaders were sentenced to home detention. Two people, who played a key role in an illegal gambling operation in New York received a sentence of 10 months of home detention each.