Former Oakdale Businesswoman Pleads No Contest to Major Theft and Money Laundering Charges
By KRISTI MAYFIELD
Turlock Journal
In a gripping courtroom scene filled with community members from Oakdale and the surrounding areas, Lana Casey, a 63-year-old former businesswoman and owner of Lana’s Spur of the Moment in Oakdale, recently pled “no contest” to a staggering series of felony charges, including grand theft, money laundering, and tax evasion. This decision comes after Casey was indicted for orchestrating an alleged $1.4 million embezzlement scheme.
Courtroom Tensions Run High
On a fateful afternoon in Stanislaus County Superior Court, Judge Valli Israels meticulously read through each of the 79 counts against Casey. The defendant maintained her gaze forward, deliberately avoiding the audience, many of whom had felt the direct impact of her alleged actions.
Allegations of Deceit and Betrayal
The grand jury, which met last year, spent three days examining overwhelming evidence presented by the District Attorney’s Office. The subsequent indictment sparked immediate action, leading to Casey’s arrest by investigators from the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office.
According to the indictment, Casey is accused of illegally siphoning over $200,000 from non-profit organizations associated with the Oak Valley District Hospital. She allegedly engineered a complex scheme involving writing checks to herself and others from non-profit accounts. Also implicated were checks made payable to a mortgage company and a pool fencing business, raising eyebrows about her deceptive financial maneuvers.
Expert Audit Reveals Shocking Figures
A forensic audit conducted by the California Franchise Tax Board unearthed shocking financial discrepancies, revealing that Casey had $1.453 million in unreported income from 2018 to 2023. The audit concluded that approximately $1.211 million of this income was tied to embezzlement—a betrayal of the community’s trust that resonates deeply with many residents.
In addition to the counts of embezzlement, Casey also faces accusations of money laundering through various financial institutions, a serious offense under both state and federal law, which mandates that individuals must pay taxes on all income, regardless of its lawful status.
Navigating the Legal Waters
In a courtroom filled with palpable tension, Casey faced multiple counts, including aggravated enhancements for white-collar crimes. Ultimately, she opted to plead no contest, a strategic but controversial choice. This plea means she neither admits nor denies guilt but accepts the consequences as if she were convicted.
Judge Israels formally accepted her plea, thereby finding Casey guilty of the charged crimes. Her sentence? A substantial 124 months—that’s 10 years and 4 months—in a state prison. The formal sentencing is set for June 13 at 8:30 a.m. in Stanislaus County Superior Court. Notably, the magnitude of her case extends beyond Stanislaus County, as she faces an additional two years in connection with crimes committed in San Joaquin County.
Community Impact
The courtroom bore witness to emotional impact statements from community members, highlighting the betrayal felt at the hands of someone they once trusted. Saundra West, a local resident, expressed her disillusionment, stating, “I thought you were my friend, but I later discovered that you were using me like you had used so many others.” Such sentiments underscore the emotional toll of Casey’s actions.
Travis Colby, Deputy District Attorney, emphasized the gravity of the case: “This is the largest criminal indictment of white-collar crime in Stanislaus County,” he noted, speaking to the gathered community members. With over $1.4 million in unreported income and more than $200,000 embezzled from local non-profits, the impact of Casey’s crimes is felt far and wide, echoing through the community like ripples in a pond.
Investigation and Beyond
The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation, the Oakdale Police Department, and the California Franchise Tax Board. Originally arrested on September 26, 2024, Casey remains behind bars without bail, awaiting her formal sentencing.
As this shocking saga unfolds, the ramifications of such deceit remain a poignant reminder of the importance of trust within communities and the devastating effects when that trust is broken.
— Marg Jackson contributed to this report.
For more information about financial crimes and their impact on communities, check out this article.
