ST. LOUIS – A district judge sentenced a former small business office manager to 51 months in federal prison for embezzlement and identity theft.

Angela Cooper, 47, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, one count of bank fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft and three counts of tax fraud. She was previously employed by AMK Heating and Cooling in Edwardsville.

According to court documents, while she was working as the manager for AMK, she was able to have access to the company’s checkbook and accounting software. The documents claim that Cooper used the tools to write up to 100 checks to herself and forged the signatures over a two-year period.

She apparently embezzled $158,658.41 from AMK, according to court documents.

The court documents further stated that while at AMK, Cooper was able to access employee information, as well as personal information, including social security numbers. She reportedly used a coworker’s information to apply for and obtain a Discover credit card, maxing the credit card to $9,877.71 in a matter of weeks, the court documents added.

The documents also state that Cooper did not report additional income in her 2019, 2020 and 2021 tax returns to the IRS. 

“By nature, greed continues to grow if left unchecked. For two years, Angela Cooper found multiple ways to steal from her employer. Cooper’s greed even extended to a coworker,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Christopher Johnson. “The FBI is proud to work alongside our IRS law enforcement partners to thwart corporate fraud and ensure justice for victims.”

In addition to her sentencing, the judge ordered Cooper to pay $168,536.12 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release.