Jessika Hiepler, a 46-year-old woman from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty to defrauding two non-profit veterans organizations of over a million dollars. Hiepler served as a board member, manager, treasurer, and financial officer for the American Legion Post 34 for nearly 15 years. In 2019, she offered to help the financially struggling American Veterans Post 19, promising an interest-free loan, low rent, and full transparency. However, she used funds stolen from the American Legion Post 34 to bail out the American Veterans Post 19, and once in control of its finances, she stole money for her personal benefit.
Hiepler also manipulated and destroyed financial records at both organizations. She acquired the American Veterans Post 19's property for $500,000 and later sold it for $1.95 million through her real estate investment company, profiting $1.425 million from the transaction.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Hiepler now faces a maximum possible sentence of 40 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $500,000 fine, and restitution. She has also agreed to forfeit $1,425,847.24 as part of her plea agreement.