Mandan accountant pleads guilty to wire fraud after stealing more than $304,000 from nonprofit organization
Mandan, North Dakota – A Mandan woman has pleaded guilty to a federal felony charge after prosecutors said she stole more than $304,000 while providing accounting services to a nonprofit organization and used the money to fund online gambling.
United States Attorney Nicholas W. Chase announced that Andrea Jo Bonness, 56, of Mandan, North Dakota, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Bonness entered her guilty plea before U.S. District Court Judge Daniel L. Hovland.
According to federal court documents, the theft took place over a period stretching from April 1, 2025, through February 24, 2026.
Money transferred to personal account
During that period, Bonness worked as an accountant and provided payroll and charitable gaming audit services to nonprofit clients.
Federal prosecutors said her position gave her access to client bank accounts. Bonness fraudulently used that access to transfer money belonging to a Mandan nonprofit organization into her own personal bank account, according to court documents.
Authorities said the transfers totaled approximately $304,070.40.
Rather than being used for the nonprofit or legitimate accounting purposes, prosecutors said the stolen money was transferred to Bonness’ personal account to pay for online gambling.
With her guilty plea entered, the case will now move toward sentencing. Bonness is scheduled to return to federal court on January 14, 2027, at 2:30 p.m. in Bismarck. Judge Hovland is scheduled to preside over the sentencing hearing.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan J. O’Konek is responsible for the prosecution.
The case comes as the U.S. Department of Justice increases its focus on fraud investigations. On April 7, the department announced the creation of its National Fraud Enforcement Division, also known as the Fraud Division.
The division is tasked with investigating and prosecuting fraud committed against Americans. The broader federal effort also supports President Donald Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance, which focuses on addressing fraud, waste and abuse involving federal benefit programs.
