Police chief's wife sentenced to prison for embezzling funds from employer

A 38-year-old Madison woman, who is also the wife of the Madison Police Chief, was sentenced Friday in federal court to 15 months in prison for embezzling funds from her employer, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton.

Amy M. Shelby was accused of opening a credit card under her employer’s name, without their knowledge, and using it to purchase personal items. She was indicted by a grand jury in July 2012 and later pleaded guilty to the federal offense of wire fraud.

The offense was investigated by the FBI, following a complaint made by James Green Management, the owner and management office of Oakmont Mini-Storage, where Shelby was a manager.

Pitney Bowes Visa credit card company had contacted the company about delinquent payments.

Subsequent audit results found Shelby had applied for a Pitney Bowes commercial credit card for Oakmont Mini-Storage in 2006, which held her name.

Shelby used the commercial credit card to purchase perfume, satellite television service, payments for personal bills and a monthly credit report service.

The audit also found Shelby had access to Oakmont Mini-Storage’s operating bank account(s), and she was paying the Pitney Bowes credit card bills, and additional personal bills, with company funds. In addition, the audit found Shelby had kept numerous cash deposits and/or payments made to Oakmont Mini- Storage for storage units.

After prison, Shelby will serve three years probation. She also was ordered to pay $112,383 in restitution.

Shelby is the wife of Madison Police Chief Steven Shelby. He hasn’t spoken publicly about the case, calling it “a private issue.”

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