WICHITA — In September, Have You Heard? reported that Pistotnik Law Offices filed a civil suit in Sedgwick County District Court against former employee Vicki Olivarez and her husband, Severo Olivarez IV alleging fraudulent and negligent acts by the two.
Vicki Olivarez was a bookkeeper for the firm from July 2002 to Sept. 4.
Now, Vicki Olivarez has been indicted on federal charges of stealing more than $948,000 from September 2004 through September of this year by writing 441 checks to herself, her husband and cash.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, she’s charged with one count of bank fraud and 10 counts of forgery for allegedly signing Brian Pistotnik’s name on checks drawn from the firm’s account.
If Olivarez is convicted on the bank fraud charge, she would face a possible 30 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. On each of the forgery counts, she would face a maximum of 10 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.
A woman who answered the phone at the law firm said no one wants to comment on the case. Olivarez could not be reached for comment.