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CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Kanawha County woman has pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud after admitting she misused state-issued purchasing cards to pay personal expenses while employed by a West Virginia government agency.
On January 21, 2026, Kelli Rucker, also known as Kelli Engler, 48, of Nitro, entered a guilty plea to one count of wire fraud stemming from a scheme carried out while she was employed by the West Virginia Division of Labor. Rucker was hired by the agency in 2020 as an Administrative Services Manager I, a position that granted her access to three state purchasing credit cards intended solely for official government use.
Court records show that between 2022 and February 2023, Rucker repeatedly used the cards for unauthorized personal transactions, resulting in losses totaling $18,472.75 to the State of West Virginia. Investigators determined that the purchases were not incidental or accidental, but part of a sustained pattern of misuse that included electronically paying private expenses unrelated to her official duties.
As part of her plea, Rucker admitted she knowingly violated state policy by using the cards to cover personal costs such as gas and electric utility bills, hospital expenses, and cable television services. She further acknowledged a specific transaction in the amount of $2,200, transmitted electronically on January 28, 2023, which was identified as a central component of the wire fraud charge.
Federal prosecutors emphasized that the case involved the abuse of a trusted administrative role, where access to public funds was leveraged for personal benefit. The misuse of multiple state-issued cards over an extended period elevated the matter beyond internal misconduct and into criminal fraud involving interstate electronic transactions.
Rucker is scheduled to be sentenced on May 19, 2026. She faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, a minimum of three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the terms of her plea, she is also required to repay the full $18,472.75 in restitution to the State of West Virginia.
Court filings also note that Rucker has a prior federal criminal history, including a conviction for access device fraud in 2010 and a failure to appear conviction in 2016, both arising in the Southern District of West Virginia. Those prior offenses are expected to factor into sentencing considerations.
The investigation involved coordinated efforts between federal agents and state oversight authorities, with assistance from the West Virginia Division of Labor. The case was presided over by Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber, and prosecution is being handled by Erik S. Goes, Assistant United States Attorney.
The guilty plea establishes criminal liability, with sentencing now positioned to determine the scope of accountability imposed by the court. The matter underscores ongoing enforcement attention on financial misconduct involving public funds, particularly when entrusted access is used for personal gain rather than public service.
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“Court filings also note that Rucker has a prior federal criminal history, including a conviction for access device fraud in 2010 and a failure to appear conviction in 2016, both arising in the Southern District of West Virginia.”
There is never any excuse to steal from others. This woman did the wrong thing and deserves to face the consequences. Before I read the quote above, I was thinking that her possible maximum sentences were severe when compared to many of the cases I have read here. I hope she gets a fair trial and the proper prison time for what she is guilty of. It is very good that she is required to repay the full $18,472.75 in restitution to the State of West Virginia.
Thank you for this article.
You’re very welcome, Chris — that’s a fair and thoughtful reflection. Accountability matters, especially where public trust and public funds are involved. Prior history helps explain why sentencing exposure can appear severe, but the court’s role is to weigh the facts and the defendant’s record to determine what is proportionate. Restitution is an important part of that process, ensuring the loss is acknowledged and repaid. I appreciate you taking the time to read and engage with the details. 😎
You’re welcome, John, and thank you for this reply. Deciding on a proper sentence must always be a challenge. You stated it well that it is the “court’s role to weigh the facts and the defendant’s record to come up with something proportionate.” Society can’t ask for more. 🙂