Kiran Andhavarapu
Kiran Andhavarapu will serve 20 months in prison and be subject to three years of supervised release for committing bank fraud against his former employer.

HOUSTON (Diya TV) – A 45-year-old Indian-American man who was accused of defrauding his former employer and banks of nearly $500,000 was recently sentenced to serve 20 months in prison.

Kiran Andhavarapu pleaded guilty a single count of bank fraud in February, he was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison.

Andhavarapu worked in the finance department of EProduction Solutions, a subsidiary of Weatherford, an oil and gas company, and had access to checks sent by vendors. Andhavarapu opened two bank accounts in his name and deposited 36 checks made out to EProduction Solutions between February 2014 and November 2015, according to his plea agreement.

Weatherford discovered the missing checks in December 2015 and confronted Andhavarapu who repaid the entire amount.

During the investigation, which was conducted by the FBI, it was found that Andhavarapu misused his position to commit the crime. A statement issued by the U.S. Attorney from the Southern District of Texas also said that Andhavarapu, who admitted to the crime, would remain in custody until he is transferred to a US Bureau of Prisons facility, the date for which will be determined later.

“Judge Ellison was extremely fair in his sentencing and took into account my client’s history and balanced it with a sense of fairness and justice,” said Houston criminal defense lawyer Gene Tausk, who represents Andhavarapu. One of the factors in his sentencing was Andhavarapu’s military record, he served 11 years in the U.S. Army, including tours in Afghanistan, Guatemala and South Korea.

On Nov. 30, 2016, a grand jury returned a 12-count indictment under seal against Kiran Andhavarapu. The indictment alleged Andhavarapu executed a scheme to steal money from his employer, Weatherford, and its subsidiary, EProduction Solutions, L.L.C. Andhavarapu allegedly opened bank accounts in the name of “EProduction Solutions” and listed himself as the owner and sole proprietor of the business. According to the indictment, he then stole refund checks made out to and belonging to his employer and fraudulently deposited those checks in the accounts he had created. This type of crime is not a one-off and unfortunately can happen a lot. When this happens they will need a criminal defense lawyer like Mr. Andhavarapu has done here, there are criminal lawyers in Sioux City or more local areas for people who need them.