Migliore convicted, admits to stealing over $200,000

In a case spanning six years, Heather Migliore, 51, of Waukon, pled guilty July 19 to federal charges of wire fraud. According to the U.S. Attorney’s press release from July 21, per the plea agreement Migliore admitted that from January 2015 through November 2021, she stole no less than $200,000 from her employer, a tax preparation business with offices in Waukon and Decorah. 

Migliore was the business’s office manager and had responsibility for its finances, including making payroll and paying bills. Migliore used a signature stamp of the owner of the business to write and sign checks to herself. To cover up her scheme, Migliore then deleted the checks from the business’s electronic bookkeeping system. Beginning in July 2019, Migliore also made over $20,000 in fraudulent credit card charges on the business’s credit cards. Migliore used the stolen funds to pay her personal expenses. 

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams in Cedar Rapids Federal Court will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Migliore remains free on bond. Migliore faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and was investigated by the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office.

This case against Migliore was initiated in April 2022 in Winneshiek County with charges of Unauthorized use of Credit Card over $10,000; Forgery – Use/Alter Forged Writing; Fraudulent Practice 1st degree; Theft 1st degree; and Ongoing Criminal Conduct – Unlawful Activity, all felony charges. The total dollar amount stolen was originally listed as $231,794.38.

The case was dismissed July 17 by Winneshiek County Attorney Andy VanDer Maaten, due to federal charges being filed against Migliore, which would address her conduct through the higher court.

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