LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — A Lancaster County woman has entered a guilty plea after defrauding two nonprofit veteran organizations.
According to United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero, Jessika L. Heipler, 46, entered a guilty plea before United States District Judge Jeffery L. Schmehl to two counts of wire fraud related to her scheme to defraud American Legion Post 34 and American Veterans Post 19.
Hiepler and her associate reportedly netted $1.425 million from the scheme.
For nearly 15 years, Hiepler served as a board member and as the manager, treasurer and financial officer for American Legion Post 34. In 2019, Hiepler offered to "bail out" a separate veteran's organization, American Veterans Post 19, that was facing financial difficulties.
Under the pretext of bailing out AMVETS Post 19, Hiepler assumed control over its financial affairs and acquired its four-acre commercial property through theft, deceit and misrepresentation, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Hiepler reportedly misled AMVETS Post 19 to secure approval for the bailout, including with the false promises of an interest-free loan, minimal rent and full transparency. Hiepler also reportedly stole from her then-employer, Legion Post 34, to raise funds for the bailout.
Once in control of AMVETS Post-19's finances, Hiepler reportedly stole from AMVETS Post 19 and used its funds for her own benefit. Hiepler then concealed the manipulated financial records and destroyed financial and business records at both Legion Post 34 and AMVETS Post 19.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Hiepler schemed about making money and selling the AMVETS Post 19's property in Lancaster. She allegedly made the following remarks:
"[W]e will make our money and they [AMVETS Post 19] can kiss our [expletive]."
"I am ready to get rid of these [expletives]... I can't wait for [expletive] to be ours."
"I can't wait to see their face when we hand them their eviction notice."
"Honestly all I want is my money. That's it. I could care [expletive] less about any of them."
Three years after acquiring the AMVETS Post 19's property for a below-market rate of $500,000 through the bailout, Hiepler's real estate investment company reportedly sold the fraudulently obtained property for $1.95 million and booked a gain of $1.425 million after expenses.
Hiepler faces a maximum possible sentence of 40 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $500,000 fine, along with restitution. As part of the plea agreement, Hiepler agreed to a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $1,425,847.
