United States Attorney Johnny Sutton
Western District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2006

Shana Jones, Special Assistant
Daryl Fields, Public Affairs Officer
610 N.W. Loop 410
San Antonio, Texas 78216
(210) 384-7440
AUSA Mark Lane
(512) 916-5858

FORMER DIRECTOR OF FINANCE CONVICTED OF FRAUD

(AUSTIN, TEXAS) Late yesterday afternoon, ROBERT STERLING MILLER, also known as, BEAU MILLER, the former Director of Finance for the Texas Land Title Association (TLTA) was found guilty of fraud by a federal jury.

Miller served as the Director of Finance at TLTA from February 2001 to September 2004. In that capacity, Miller was responsible for all financial, accounting and payroll functions of TLTA. Beginning in March of 2002, Miller fraudulently increased his bi-monthly salary by $1,000 a pay period. Miller unlawfully acquired $54,333.37 over the course of his employment related to the increase in salary. Miller also fraudulently caused himself to receive eleven unauthorized bonuses totaling $60,269.15. Miller’s unlawful receipt of bonuses and salary formed the basis of the wire fraud counts.

Shortly before the discovery of Miller’s fraud scheme in early September 2004, Miller directed a $44,000 check drawn on a TLTA bank account at Guaranty Bank to an accounting firm operated by Miller, One-Two-Three Accounting, Inc. Miller’s unlawful receipt of the proceeds of this check formed the basis of the bank fraud count.

Prior to obtaining employment at TLTA, Miller had pled no contest in November 1996 to a charge of Aggravated Theft in the District Court of Comal County, Texas in connection with the theft of funds from Midway Mobile Homes in New Braunfels, Texas. Miller was subsequently sentenced to four years deferred adjudication. At the time Miller was hired by TLTA in February 2001, Miller deceived TLTA as to his education and work history. In addition, Miller represented to TLTA that he had never pled no contest to a felony.

Judge Sparks set sentencing for July 28, 2006.

This case was the result of an investigation by Special Agent Matthew J. Gravelle of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Mark Lane is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.