U.S. Department of Justice Marcos Daniel Jiménez United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida
	99 N.E. 4th Street Miami, FL 33132 (305) 961-9001

EMBEZZLER PLEADS GUILTY

Marcos Daniel Jiménez, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; and Michael S. Clemens, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced today that defendant, Lillie Mae Xavier, pleaded guilty before United States District Court Judge Kenneth A. Marra, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to charges of embezzling funds from CIGNA Dental Health, Inc., in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 669. Xavier faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to ten (10) years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing has been set for January 7, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida before Judge Marra.

Xavier’s plea involved her embezzlement of over $3.2 million dollars from various bank accounts under her control as the accountant/manager of CIGNA Dental Inc. bank accounts while she was employed at CIGNA’s office in Plantation, Florida during 1998 though 2003. Xavier, at various times, electronically transferred large sums out of CIGNA’s bank accounts to bank accounts controlled by herself, relatives, friends, and even her church pastor. The evidence also reflected that, during this time, Xavier wire transferred back into CIGNA’s bank accounts approximately $2,360,943.04. The net loss to CIGNA Dental Health, Inc. was $764,259.11.

Mr. Jiménez commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey H. Kay.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Return to Press Release Page

Technical comments about this website can be e-mailed to the Webmaster. PLEASE NOTE: The United States Attorney's Office does not respond to non-technical inquiries made to this website. If you wish to make a request for information, you may contact our office at 305-961-9001, or you may send a written inquiry to the United States Attorney's Office, Southern District of Florida, 99 NE 4th Street, Miami, Fl. 33132.