Woman Indicted in Embezzlement of $800K From Monterey Aquarium Institute

A federal grand jury in San Jose has indicted a former payroll employee of an aquatics research facility at Moss Landing, Calif. in the embezzlement of about $800,000 from 2005 to 2012, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.
      
Lisa McMahon, of Mountain View, is set to appear in federal court in San Jose on Thursday to face charges of wire fraud and theft from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute following her indictment Wednesday, the office reported.
      
U.S. Judge Paul S. Grewal will preside at the 10:30 a.m. hearing, at the United States District Court, Northern District of California,  280 S. First St. in San Jose.
      
The indictment alleged that McMahon defrauded the institute of the $800,000 over seven years by altering payroll and 401(k) investment records to conceal the transfer of funds to her personal accounts, federal officials said.
      
McMahon had been working for the institute as a payroll specialist responsible for the payroll, 401(k) distributions and loans for institute employees.
      
The FBI coordinated the investigation, federal officials said.
      
If convicted, McMahon could he sentenced to up to 20 years in prison on the wire fraud charge and 10 years on the theft charge, officials said.
      
She also may be liable for a fine equal to twice the gain or loss from the crimes, officials said.