It was a rough start to the new year for Stanley Ellicott—the former assistant director of finance and technology for San Francisco’s Department of Human Resources’ Workers’ Compensation Division. On Monday, January 5, he was sentenced to three years in state prison after pleading guilty to seven felony counts in a complex scheme that defrauded the city of more than $627,000.
The case was prosecuted by the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors said Ellicott set up a fake business, used it to bill the city for auditing services that were never performed, and then funneled the money into his personal accounts. Ellicott has also been accused of billing the city $14,000 for personal items disguised as “earthquake supplies,” which he then sold on eBay.
As part of a plea agreement, Ellicott pleaded guilty to misappropriation of public funds, grand theft, financial conflict of interest, presentation of a fraudulent claim, money laundering, and aiding and abetting a financial conflict of interest in a government contract.
“Mr. Ellicott had enormous responsibility as the assistant director of finance and technology in the City’s Workers’ Compensation Division, and he is being held accountable for violating the public trust,” District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said in a press release. “I am committed to rooting out public corruption at all levels and protecting residents and taxpayers from fraud and gross misconduct perpetrated by city employees.”
Read more about the conviction and sentencing at SFist.