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MISSOULA — A woman is accused of running a money mule business by collecting money from various wire fraud schemes in the United States, sending the money abroad, and using it to plead guilty today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Lalovich said.
Theresa Ann Chabot, 57, pleaded guilty to conducting unlicensed businesses. Chabot faces a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto led. Sentencing is set for January 5, 2023 by U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen appeared. The court will determine any sentence after considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Chabot was released pending further proceedings.
The plea agreement in the lawsuit calls for the other 29 counts of the charges to be dismissed at sentencing, Chabot to repay the government’s estimated $5.2 million in full restitution, and Chabot to forfeit his 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe.
The government alleges that between May 2017 and February 2021, Chabot, through her business, Avalanche Creek LLC, collected money from various wire fraud schemes in the United States into her bank accounts. In doing so, Chabot operated as a money transfer business and had to register Avalanche Creek with the Treasury Department. Chabot opened more than 50 bank accounts, the government alleges. Banks have closed several accounts after reviewing the activity, and at least 15 banks said they were directly closing Chabot’s accounts for fraud, violations of bank policies and other abuses. Chabot opens a new bank account that allows her to earn income despite the closure of multiple bank accounts. Chabot received a fee, which in some cases was as much as 10 percent of the earnings deposited into her bank account. Chabot then transfers the rest of the money overseas, including to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Assistant United States Attorney Ryan G. Weldon is prosecuting the case through an FBI and IRS criminal investigation.
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