Monday, March 25, 2013 | 2:27 p.m.
A Las Vegas woman employed by Turnberry Associates pleaded guilty Monday in a case in which the real estate developer lost $5.4 million, said Daniel Bogden, U.S. attorney for the District of Nevada.
Hope Ippoliti, 51, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud against the Florida-based real estate developer, which has owned or developed several properties in Las Vegas, including Town Square, Turnberry Place and the Residences at MGM.
From May 2007 to January 2012, Ippoliti admitted to creating fraudulent fund transfer requests to Turnberry Associates with Rocco Lazazzaro, who also has been charged in the case, Bogden said in a news release.
The money was supposedly for business purposes, but it was diverted into a Bank of America account over which Ippoliti had signatory authority, Bogden said. The funds were then withdrawn for personal use, Bogden said.
The wire fraud resulted in $5.4 million in losses to Turnberry Associates entities, Bogden said.
Ippoliti is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11. She faces a maximum 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. She also agreed to pay full restitution to Turnberry Associates, Bogden said.
Lazazzaro, 55, is scheduled for trial April 23. He is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 24 counts of wire fraud and one count of attempted interference with commerce by threats and violence.
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