U.S. District Judge Annemarie Axon sentenced Michael Charles Vines, to 41months in prison for wire fraud. Vines pled guilty to that charge in September 2019.
The defendant exploited his position of trust with conduct that was deliberate and deceptive, Town said. Abuse of trust and misuse of funds is unacceptable and those who consider engaging in these types schemes should know that it can lead to federal prison.
The investigation conducted by the U.S. Secret Service revealed Michael Charles Vines defrauded The Country Club of Birmingham of over $630,000, said Patrick Davis, Special Agent in Charge, Birmingham Field Office. Mr. Vines was a tenured employee. He not only violated the trust of his employer, but also that of the members of The Country Club of Birmingham.
According to court documents, beginning in May 2002 through June 2018, Vines worked as the accounts receivable clerk for The Country Club of Birmingham. In 2008, Vines was promoted to management information systems and accounts receivable clerk. As accounts receivable clerk, Vines managed the cash and checks received from members and outside vendors or visitors. He was responsible for preparing the receivable portion of the monthly bank account. In 2015, all responsibility for the monthly bank account reconciliation process was transferred to Vines. Between 2007 and 2018, Vines engaged in a scheme to steal cash and other proceeds from the County Club of Birmingham. Vines concealed the scheme by making false and fraudulent entries into the financial management system and making false and fraudulent representations in person and in emails to the Country Club of Birmingham management and the outside auditor. Vines scheme resulted in him stealing over $630,000 from The Country Club of Birmingham.
The U.S. Secret Service investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Beardsley Mark prosecuted.
-- Northern District of Alabama
Source: U.S. Secret Service