PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A former top officer with both the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia's Jewish Exponent and the Philly POPS! has been arrested and faces federal charges of wire fraud and mail fraud.
Cheryl Lutts, 42, allegedly embezzled more than $1.4 million from the two organizations. She faces up to 480 years in prison and up to $6 million in fines if convicted.
“This defendant allegedly swindled hundreds of thousands of dollars from not one, but two former employers,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams.
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According to federal officials, the indictment accuses Lutts of using the money to pay personal credit card bills. She also faces accusations of using company cards for unauthorized airline tickets, travel and lodging, entertainment, legal services, funeral expenses, retail and food.
Lutts allegedly used corporate and personal credit and debit cards to give company money to eople who were not vendors of either organization.
The indictment stemming from an FBI investigation also accuses her of giving financial statements with either no balance sheet or false balance sheets.