Barrow Woman Indicted by Federal Grand Jury for Theft from an Organization Receiving Federal Grant Funds

ANCHORAGE, AK—United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced that a Barrow woman was indicted by a federal grand jury in Anchorage on charges of theft and misapplication of funds from an organization receiving federal grant funds.

The two-count indictment names Teresa Judkins, 51, of Barrow, Alaska, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, in 2007 and 2008, Judkins was the executive director for the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission (AEWC). While in that position, the indictment alleges, she stole and misapplied approximately $100,339 in the following ways: 1) receiving payments purporting to be payroll advances that were never repaid; 2) purchasing airline tickets, hotels and car rentals for herself and family for purposes unrelated to AEWC business; 3) purchasing a snow machine for her personal use with AEWC funds, and issuing and cashing AEWC checks for her personal use.

Assistant United States Attorney Aunnie Steward, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for a maximum total sentence of ten years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under federal sentencing statutes, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigations, together with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.