Former cardiology practice office manager sentenced for embezzling over $1.1 million

ATLANTA - Monica Rigsby, a former office manager for a cardiology practice, has been sentenced to federal prison for embezzling over $1.1 million from her employer.

“This defendant’s greed drove her to steal over one million dollars from her employer,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak.  “Criminals who embezzle money from businesses will face prosecution, but employers should also take steps to safeguard against fraud committed by their employees.”

“Rigsby took advantage of her position to profit illegally, violating the trust that Georgia Pediatric Cardiology put in her,” said J.C. “Chris” Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Her conviction should serve as a reminder that the FBI is committed to making cases like this a strong deterrent to those tempted by greed.”

According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: Rigsby was the office manager at the Georgia Pediatric Cardiology practice located in Stockbridge, Georgia.  While working as the office manager, the defendant altered the accounting system to make it appear that she was being reimbursed for legitimate expenses when, in fact, she was stealing a portion of the funds and diverting the money for her own personal use.  Rigsby’s fraud scheme cost the medical practice over $1.1 million.  The defendant used the embezzled funds to purchase clothing, jewelry, an automobile, and to pay for her daughter’s college tuition.

Monica Rigsby, 55, of Saint Petersburg, Florida, was sentenced to two years, six months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release on August 7, 2018.  Rigsby was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,178,314.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas J. Krepp and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan P. Kitchens, Deputy Chief of the Cyber & Intellectual Property Crime Section prosecuted the case.