By Tim McGlone

The Virginian-Pilot

NORFOLK

A former manager of a title insurance company admitted in court to stealing $200,000 from the company and trying to cover her actions.

Amanda L. Deese, 38, of Virginia Beach, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of mail fraud. She faces up to 20 years in prison when she is sentenced Nov. 9. She remains free on bond.

Deese was the office manager for the Virginia Beach office of Huntington Title & Escrow. She admitted in court that between 2007 and 2010 she wrote company checks to pay for personal expenses, including her mortgage and other bills.

She also admitted to making unauthorized wire transfers of Huntington funds into her bank account and the accounts of family members. Other checks she wrote were made out to companies that she claimed had performed services for Huntington, but they were actually companies she had set up that performed no work for Huntington.

When confronted by FBI agents, Deese said the company had authorized her to receive up to $3,500 a month for personal expenses, according to court records. She admitted she fabricated that story and emailed a phony agreement to the agents.

As a result of the scheme, the company lost $202,000, according to court filings.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan M. Salsbury declined to comment on whether any money was recovered or anyone else was involved.

Tim McGlone, 757-446-2343, tim.mcglone@pilotonline.com