BISHOPVILLE WOMAN SENTENCED IN EMBEZZLEMENT CASE

         Columbia, South Carolina---- Acting United States Attorney Kevin F. McDonald stated that Julia N. Bell, age 54, of Bishopville, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court for wire fraud.    United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie sentenced Bell to 21 months in prison and ordered her to pay more than $140,000.00 in restitution.
        Bell was the office manager of a Sumter orthopaedic and sports medicine clinic, and had access to the clinic’s credit card.  She used the credit card without authorization for her personal expenses, including shopping trips, vacations, and restaurants.   She paid the credit card bills using money from the clinic’s bank account.
        The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Winston D. Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office handled the case.