07/09/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/09/2025 17:13
McALLEN, Texas - A 57-year-old Mission resident has pleaded guilty to mail fraud and diverting company funds for her own benefit, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Elizabeth Batten was the director of financing at McCreery Aviation in the Rio Grande Valley from 2019 to 2023. As part of her plea, she admitted that during her tenure, she diverted company funds to pay for her personal expenses. She used signed blank company checks, intended for legitimate business purposes, to settle her personal credit card accounts.
She also used the U.S. Postal Service to conceal her behavior and actions by mailing her fraudulent payments to multiple credit card companies in different states.
The investigation into Batten began after a McCreery Aviation employee noticed irregularities in the handling of company checks in late 2023.
It revealed she had fraudulently diverted a total of $1.2 million as part of her scheme.
U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton will impose sentencing Oct. 7. At that time, Batten faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
As a part of the plea, Batten agreed to pay $1.191 million in restitution to McCreery Aviation.
She was permitted to remain on bond pending her sentencing hearing.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Garcia prosecuted the case.