From STAFF REPORTS

WHEELING — An Ohio County woman pleaded guilty Monday to federal charges accusing her of embezzling nearly $350,000 from her employer.

Cindy Shearer, 58, of Clearview, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one charge of filing false income tax returns in connection with her work as an office manager at a Triadelphia company.

Federal investigators said from April 2103 until late last year when she was charged, Shearer worked for Cane Business Forms & Systems before it reorganized as Precision Printed Products.

Shearer admitted to writing checks totaling $276,892.88 from Cane Business Forms & Systems and a total of $67,672.41 from Precision Printed Products to herself, but listed the checks as paid to a legitimate vendor, investigators said. She then cashed or deposited the checks into her own bank account. Shearer also admitted to not claiming the embezzled money on her personal taxes, defrauding the IRS of approximately $54,509 in taxes, investigators said.

As a part of the plea agreement, Shearer has agreed to pay restitution to both business owners and restitution to the IRS.

Shearer faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the wire fraud charge, and up to three years and a fine of up to $250,000 for the tax charge. She is free on her own recognizance while awaiting sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service investigated the case. U.S. Magistrate Judge James Mazzone presided over the case.