PHILADELPHIA, PA — A Lancaster woman has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for orchestrating a years-long scheme to defraud two nonprofit veterans organizations of more than $1.4 million, U.S. Attorney David Metcalf announced Thursday.
Jessika L. Hiepler, 47, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl to two years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, a $10,000 fine, 100 hours of community service, and $432,925.35 in restitution. Hiepler was also ordered to forfeit $1,425,847.24, representing the profits she unlawfully obtained.
A 15-Year Position of Trust Abused
Court records show that Hiepler spent nearly 15 years serving as a board member, manager, treasurer, and financial officer for American Legion Post 34 in Lancaster. In 2019, she offered to “bail out” a struggling veterans organization, American Veterans Post 19 (AMVETS Post 19), under the guise of helping stabilize its finances.
Prosecutors revealed that instead of assisting AMVETS Post 19, Hiepler manipulated financial records, diverted funds, and stole assets from both organizations. Using funds from Legion Post 34, she acquired AMVETS Post 19’s valuable four-acre commercial property for a below-market price of $500,000 through what prosecutors described as deceit and misrepresentation.
Once she gained control of AMVETS Post 19’s property and finances, Hiepler concealed her self-dealing, destroyed records, and siphoned funds for personal gain. Three years later, her real estate investment company sold the property for $1.95 million, netting a profit of more than $1.425 million.
Evidence of Intent and Exploitation
Investigators uncovered messages that revealed Hiepler’s calculated intent to exploit the organizations and profit at their expense. Among her statements:
- “[W]e will make our money and they [AMVETS Post 19] can kiss our a[**].”
- “I am ready to get rid of these motherf[***]s… I can’t wait for sh[] to be ours.”
- “I can’t wait to see their face when we hand them their eviction notice.”
- “Wizardry at work / Madoff activated.”
- “Honestly all I want is my money. That’s it. I could care f[***]ing less about any of them.”
These communications, prosecutors said, underscored the deliberate nature of the scheme and Hiepler’s betrayal of the veterans she claimed to serve.
Prosecutors Condemn Calculated Fraud
“Jessika Hiepler abused the great reputation of veterans to win the trust of those who support them,” U.S. Attorney Metcalf said. “All the while, she boasted about her schemes, mocked her victims, and celebrated her role in their misfortunes. These were calculated crimes of greed, not of impulse or desperation, and justice demanded that Hiepler be held to account.”
Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office, said the sentence reflects law enforcement’s commitment to protecting nonprofit organizations that serve veterans: “Jessika Hiepler and her associate pocketed over one million dollars intended for organizations that support our nation’s veterans, and today illustrates our commitment to holding to account anyone who preys on the public for personal profit.”
Investigation and Prosecution
The case was investigated by the FBI, with support from the Lancaster City Bureau of Police. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel Dalke and J. Andrew Jenemann.
Federal authorities emphasized that this case highlights the need for strong financial oversight of nonprofit organizations and warned that those who exploit charitable causes for personal enrichment will face aggressive prosecution.
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