A former D.C. firefighter was sentenced to seven days in jail on Wednesday for fraudulently obtaining $3,610 in payments for government-run CPR training.
Natalie Overton-Williams, 41, of Capitol Heights pleaded guilty in March to a misdemeanor charge of first-degree fraud for offering instruction to residents and organizations in return for a fee, which she kept instead of submitting to the department.
Ms. Overton-Williams directed that payment for the classes be made payable to “Natalie O. Williams,” not the D.C. government, and then deposited the checks into her own bank account.
Prosecutors said an investigation revealed that between January and August 2008 — a time that she was assigned to the department’s training academy and was responsible for the department’s CPR training program — Ms. Overton obtained the money from five organizations or businesses and one individual.
The investigation into her activities began after a sixth client raised questions about a $120 invoice that directed payment to Ms. Overton-Williams instead of the government.
She was sentenced today in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia by Judge Anthony C. Epstein. Under terms of her plea agreement, she agreed to resign from the department and make restitution of $3,610.
• Matthew Cella can be reached at mcella@washingtontimes.com.
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