NEW ORLEANS, LA — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)), published as received.

NEW ORLEANS, LA –  MARY B. KATICICH, age 63, of Marrero, Louisiana, was  indicted on April 14, 2023, with four counts of wire fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, and one count of making and subscribing a false tax return in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(1), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.  If convicted, KATICICH faces a maximum term of twenty (20) years imprisonment as to each count of wire fraud and a maximum term of three (3) years imprisonment as to the tax charge.  As to each count, KATICICH also faces a maximum fine of $250,000.00 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person resulting from the offense, under Title 18, United States Code, Section 3571.  In addition, KATICICH faces a term of supervised release of up to three (3) years on the wire fraud counts and up to one (1) year on the tax count. Each count also carries a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

According to today’s indictment, from January 2015 to June 2018, KATICICH was employed as a bookkeeper with Company A based in Belle Chase, Louisiana.  During this timeframe, KATICICH stole funds from Company A’s bank accounts without permission or authorization .  To enact this scheme, KATICICH executed electronic transfers from Company A to her business and personal bank accounts via ACH deposits and payroll check deposits in amounts exceeding her authorized annual salary.  To conceal her embezzlement scheme, KATICICH failed to report to the IRS funds that she received from Company A, resulting in a total tax loss to the IRS of approximately $109,664.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Long of the Financial Crimes Unit.