Former Ocean City Office Manager Sentenced to Four Years for Stealing $1.7 Million from Home Builder

A former office manager in Ocean City, Maryland, has been sentenced to federal prison for orchestrating a significant embezzlement scheme that defrauded a local home builder out of more than $1.7 million. The sentence, announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, also includes substantial restitution and penalties related to tax evasion.

Tammy Barcus, 57, of Berlin, Maryland, received a 48-month federal prison sentence and will be subject to two years of supervised release. In addition to the prison time, she has been ordered to pay restitution totaling $1,793,688.87 to the victimized home builder and an additional $562,883 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). A forfeiture money judgment of $1,793,688.87 was also imposed by the court.

Court documents indicate that from 2016 through 2024, Barcus, who held the position of office manager and bookkeeper for an Ocean City-based home construction company, systematically embezzled funds. Leveraging her trusted role and independent authority over business records and financial accounts, she issued over 500 fraudulent checks from the company’s bank account. Barcus forged the signature of one of the owners on these checks, subsequently depositing them into accounts she controlled. The illicitly obtained funds were then used to finance personal expenditures such as vehicle payments, boat payments, mortgage obligations, and other personal enrichment. To conceal her activities from her employer and the IRS, Barcus created false entries in the company’s accounting records.

The investigation and subsequent prosecution were the result of a collaborative effort. U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes of the District of Maryland, alongside Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter of the IRS – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Washington D.C. Field Office, announced the sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared Murphy and Harry Gruber prosecuted the case, with valuable assistance provided by Paralegal Specialists Joanna B.N. Huber and Shelbe Mascaro.

Residents of the affected communities can be impacted by such financial crimes through various avenues. While this case involved a private business, widespread embezzlement can erode trust in financial systems and potentially affect the stability of local businesses, which in turn can influence employment opportunities and economic conditions. The restitution ordered aims to recover some of the financial losses, but the full extent of the impact on the victim company and its employees may extend beyond monetary damages. Furthermore, the tax evasion component highlights the importance of accurate financial reporting for both individuals and businesses, with implications for public revenue that supports essential services.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland

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