James Montoya, a Lakewood man who worked as an IT Specialist for the U.S. Geological Survey, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for misusing his government credit card, racking up over $1.2 million in personal purchases. The U.S. Department of the Interior discovered the alleged fraudulent transactions during a routine analysis of credit card misuse. Montoya is accused of creating fake vendors and paying them with the government-issued card, transferring over $1 million to his personal accounts through Paypal. He also allegedly used altered or fake receipts to cover up the transactions. The indictment details how Montoya spent over $120,000 on vintage toys and car parts, including an aftermarket engine block for a Toyota truck. Montoya appeared in federal court in Denver and faces eight counts of wire fraud. A spokesperson for the USGS declined to comment on the case or Montoya’s employment status. Logan Smith, an assignment desk editor at CBS in Colorado, reported on the indictment.
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Colorado man charged with allegedly embezzling $1.2 million from federal employer in 15-year scheme
