United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger has announced that a federal grand jury has indicted Kathleen A. Fetek (age 55) for executing a scheme to defraud beneficiaries of estates being handled by Fetek Law Offices, S.C., a firm that had been operated by Fetek’s father in Racine, Wisconsin.

The indictment alleges that beginning by 2014, and continuing through at least January 2017, while employed at the firm, Fetek: (1) wrote checks to herself from the firm’s account; (2) cashed the checks at banks, liquor stores, and other locations; and (3) prepared and mailed materially false distribution summaries and account documentation to beneficiaries.  The indictment alleges that as a result of the scheme, Fetek wrongfully obtained in excess of $775,000.

If convicted of the offense charged in the indictment (mail fraud), Fetek would face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.  Fetek also would face up to three years of supervised release following any prison term and would be ordered to pay restitution to the victims of her offense.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and has been assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Richard G. Frohling for prosecution.

The public is cautioned that an indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.