By: The wife of a former Quad-City Times employee was convicted today of helping her husband steal about $1 million from the newspaper over a decade.
A federal jury found Julie Beasley guilty of 53 counts of mail fraud, money laundering and conspiracy, according to the U.S. attorney's office.
Her ex-husband Earl Beasley, the former maintenance supervisor for the Times, has pleaded guilty to 74 counts of mail and credit card fraud. He still faces conspiracy charges.
Authorities say the Beasleys, of Taylor Ridge, Ill., used shell companies to bill the newspaper for goods and services it didn't receive. Authorities say the couple also used company credit cards to buy personal items.
The Beasleys both said the wife knew nothing about the scheme until they were arrested in February. Julie Beasley said he did not admit committing the crimes until shortly before he pleaded guilty in December.
Prosecutors presented evidence that Julie Beasley opened post office boxes and bank accounts that were used in the scheme, and she deposited checks from the Quad-City Times and Lee Enterprises into the accounts and wrote checks on those accounts.
Beasley's trial began Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Davenport.
"I am thankful that the jury was able to clearly see the truth behind the many lies told by the Beasleys," said Quad-City Times Publisher Julie Bechtel.
"I am thankful that my accounting team uncovered the shell companies and put a stop to the embezzlement."
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here