Kentucky woman gets prison time, ordered to repay $400K for thefts from employer

A Central Kentucky woman who stole more than $350,000 from her employer has been sentenced to three years in federal prison.

The sentence for Irene M. Fike, 56, of Winchester, includes an order to pay $405,867 in restitution to the victim.

Fike developed a relationship with the victim while working at an accounting firm. When Fike left the firm in 2021, the victim hired her as a contractor to do bookkeeping and pay bills, according to the court record.

The victim was identified only as J.M. in court records.

From April 2018 to September 2022, Fike used J.M.’s money to pay her credit card bills and used the victim’s credit cards for online purchases.

The thefts totaled $363,675, according to the court record.

Fike used financial software to create fake records to cover up what she was doing, according to a sentencing memorandum from Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew T. Boone.

She pleaded guilty to wire fraud and identity theft .

The restitution Fike was ordered to pay included interest income J.M. lost as a result of the thefts, according to the court record.

Fike and her husband sold their home and farm to pay the restitution, defense attorneys Russ Baldani and Tucker Richardson said in a sentencing memo.

U.S. District Judge Gregory F Van Tatenhove sentenced Fike Wednesday.