AUSTIN, Texas — A Leander woman was sentenced to nearly three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion connected to the theft of more than $1 million from an Austin-area school serving children with special needs, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Federal prosecutors said 56-year-old Alysa Dietz Gisser committed the offenses while working for the school between 2018 and 2021.
The Justice Department said Gisser diverted tuition and other payments to a PayPal account tied to her consulting business, which she renamed to resemble the school. Prosecutors said she also altered accounting records to make it appear the payments had been made directly to the school.
According to prosecutors, Gisser underreported nearly $864,000 in income during the same period.
Officials said Gisser used the funds for personal expenses, including the installation of an in-ground swimming pool at her residence, as well as credit card payments and mortgage expenses.
Prosecutors said Gisser embezzled more than $1 million in total from the school.
As part of her sentence, Gisser was ordered to pay more than $1.3 million in restitution and is subject to a money judgment of nearly $1.05 million.