Georgia Law Firm Manager Sentenced to 2 Years for $180K Fraud

Robin Stell abused her position to fund a lavish lifestyle, damaging public trust in legal institutions.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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A Georgia woman named Robin Stell was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for wire fraud, after pleading guilty to systematically siphoning nearly $180,000 from her employer, a local law firm, over a four-year period to fund a lavish lifestyle of cruises, concerts, and other personal expenses.

Why it matters

This case highlights the damage that can be done when internal employees abuse positions of trust for personal gain, eroding public confidence in the integrity of legal institutions. Financial fraud by company insiders remains a key focus for federal investigators.

The details

According to court documents, Stell served as the office manager for an unnamed law firm between 2021 and 2024. During that time, she treated the company credit cards as her own personal bank account, making unauthorized purchases ranging from Amazon purchases to high-end luxury experiences like vacation packages and concert tickets. The investigation uncovered a paper trail of fraud totaling $178,892.20.

  • Stell served as the law firm's office manager from 2021 to 2024.
  • The charges were first brought by the U.S. Attorney's office in August 2025.
  • Stell was sentenced on February 13, 2026 to 24 months in federal prison.

The players

Robin Stell

A 55-year-old Georgia woman who served as the office manager for a local law firm and systematically defrauded the firm of nearly $180,000 over a four-year period.

R. Stan Baker

The Chief Judge who sentenced Stell to 24 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

Margaret E. Heap

The U.S. Attorney whose office brought the initial charges against Stell in August 2025.

Darron J. Hubbard

The Assistant U.S. Attorney who prosecuted the case against Stell.

Brad Snider

A Supervisory Senior Special Agent with the FBI's Savannah Resident Agency, which led the investigation into Stell's fraud.

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What they’re saying

“This defendant abused the trust placed in her by a local law firm and its clients and betrayed that trust for her own personal benefit.”

— Margaret E. Heap, U.S. Attorney (tampafp.com)

“We remain focused on rooting out financial fraud, especially when it involves company insiders who believe they can hide their tracks from within.”

— Brad Snider, Supervisory Senior Special Agent, FBI (tampafp.com)

What’s next

As part of her sentence, Stell has been ordered to pay the full $178,892.20 in restitution to the law firm.

The takeaway

This case serves as a stark reminder of the damage that can be done when trusted employees abuse their positions for personal gain, undermining public confidence in the integrity of legal institutions. It highlights the importance of robust financial controls and vigilance against internal fraud.