ORLANDO, FL. Prosecutors said Friday that Amaris Marie Delapena, 50, of Windermere, was found guilty by a federal jury of 15 counts of wire fraud and 22 counts of bank fraud for embezzling money while employed as a paralegal at an Orlando law firm.
Delapena is set to be sentenced on February 19, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in jail for each bank fraud count and 20 years for each wire fraud count.
Prosecutors provided evidence during the four-day trial that Delapena transferred funds and checks from clients and vendors of the law firm into accounts that were under her control. She allegedly used fraudulent check deposits and unlawful wire transfers to move customer money from the firm’s accounts to her own.
Notably, Delapena obtained a law degree and obtained a Florida license to practice law after committing the felonies but before to her trial.
The US Secret Service looked into the case, and Assistant US Attorney Adam J. Nate handled the prosecution.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
