The former finance director for High Point (N.C.) Regional Hospital, part of Chapel Hill, N.C.-based UNC Health Care, was sentenced May 3 to 8.5 years in prison for embezzling $3.9 million from the hospital, according to the Department of Justice.
Kimberly Hobson worked in the accounting and finance department at High Point Regional Hospital for more than 20 years, most recently as finance director. She was fired after the hospital discovered her embezzlement in July 2017, according to the Winston-Salem Journal.
Ms. Hobson was charged with wire fraud, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. She pleaded guilty in February.
Over a 10-year period, Ms. Hobson wrote checks to herself and her family members, which were deposited in her personal bank account. She also sent payments from hospital accounts to her personal loans and credit cards, used a hospital-issued credit card for personal expenses, and substituted her bank account for the direct deposit accounts of nine other employees, according to the DOJ.
“Today’s stiff sentence serves notice that white collar criminals will be brought to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin of the Middle District of North Carolina. “Thank you to the law enforcement officers with the Department of Treasury, U.S. Secret Service, Guilford County Sheriff’s Department, and High Point Police Department who have worked diligently to uncover Ms. Hobson’s fraud and seek restitution for the hospital.”
HENRY KOTULA 