Ex-Columbus realty office employee pleads guilty to wire fraud of over $400,000
A former employee of a Columbus realty office has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after transferring over $400,000 to her personal credit card account, according to a federal court document.
The document shows Lauren Williams Eldridge, a former office manager and bookkeeper for Keller Williams Realty River Cities in Columbus, pleaded guilty to wire fraud after transferring a total of $453,876.64 to her American Express credit card from KW’s operating and commissions accounts.
Eldridge was employed by KW from 2013 to December 2022, according to a document filed in the Columbus division of U.S. District Court.
“The charges on Defendant’s personal American Express credit card were for personal expenses, including trips to Panama City Beach, Florida, furniture from Wayfair, and over $2,000.00 in beauty product and service purchases at Ulta,” the document says.
Eldridge transferred $375,100 from KW’s reserve account to KW’s operating account and commissions account to conceal the scheme, according to the document.
The document says the guilty plea carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and up to three years of supervised release.
The document says if Eldridge signed the plea agreement and returned it to the government no later than Nov. 13, 2024, at noon EST, the U.S. attorney will recommend at the sentencing hearing the defendant be sentenced to 24 months imprisonment.
“Defendant acknowledges and understands that the Court is not bound by the Government’s recommendation,” the document says.
The acceptance of the plea agreement was agreed to on Jan. 29, 2025, according to the document.
The plea agreement says, “Defendant agrees that the amount of restitution shall include the amounts transferred from KW’s Operating and Commissions Accounts to Defendant’s personal credit card account,” which totaled $453,876.64.
Eldridge’s sentencing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on June 18, according to court documents.