US attorney: Controller defrauded Country Club of $400,000 - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

An Indianapolis woman was sentenced to two years in federal prison after federal prosecutors say she stole more than $400,000 from her employer.

US attorney Joe Hogsett announced the sentence today for Denise S. Abrell, 41. She worked for the Country Club of Indianapolis as its controller starting in May 2008.

The controller is responsible for managing the business's taxes and accounting, member invoices, accounts receivables and payables, preparing financial reports for meetings of the Board of Directors, and representing the staff at meetings of the Board of Directors.

Prosecutors say between November 2008 and December 2011, Abrell wrote checks against the Club's bank accounts in her own name, defrauding the business of about $441,000. She also used the Club's credit card without permission and argued the charges were made for the Club's benefit when questioned about it.

George Arvantis, the club's director of operations, says the Country Club of Indianapolis was the first club in the city, dating back to 1891.

The case was the result of a collaborative investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia J. Ridgeway, who prosecuted the case for the government, Abrell was fined ordered to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of her prison term.