FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — A former accounting contractor is accused of diverting nearly $2 million from a Falls Church software company by disguising payments to her personal bank account as legitimate vendor expenses, according to federal court records.
A federal grand jury indicted Simone Murray on seven counts of wire fraud Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The indictment alleges that Murray defrauded the company of more than $1.5 million between June 2022 and December 2025.
Murray was arrested Thursday and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William E. Fitzpatrick in Alexandria, court records show. Prosecutors requested that she remain in custody, while Murray requested release. Fitzpatrick temporarily detained her and scheduled a detention hearing for 2 p.m. Friday.
The company hired Murray through a staffing agency in June 2022 before hiring her directly as an independent contractor in February 2023, according to the indictment. Her responsibilities included managing accounting services, entering vendor and invoice information and helping process payments.
Prosecutors allege Murray altered legitimate vendor profiles in the company's accounting software by replacing vendors' bank information with information for her personal account. She is also accused of creating false vendor profiles, fabricated invoices and fraudulent payment requests.
Murray allegedly sent those requests to company officials for approval. Once the payments were authorized, the money went to her account instead of the vendors named in the records, according to the indictment.
Also See ...
Dulles Airport Officers Seize 440 Pounds Of Raw Cotton From Traveler Bags
Man Found In Bed At Historic House In Arlington National Cemetery Indicted
ICE Agent Points Gun At Fairfax County Driver, Drawing Conflicting Accounts Of What Happened
Seven specific transfers or emails sent between September 2022 and August 2025 form the basis of the wire fraud charges. The transfers identified in the indictment ranged from $14,955 to $19,518.
The indictment does not name the company, identifying it only as a software firm located in Falls Church.
An FBI declaration filed Friday provides a more detailed estimate of the alleged losses. An FBI special agent said investigators identified 106 transfers totaling about $1,982,295 between September 2022 and November 2025.
The agent said investigators reviewed emails, financial records and accounting records and interviewed company employees.
During a recorded interview after her arrest, Murray acknowledged doing something she "probably should not have done" and said she was at fault, according to the agent's declaration. When an agent asked how many times she had redirected money, Murray replied, "Too many times."
The declaration says Murray identified gambling as one reason for her actions. A review of her bank records found approximately $2.34 million in transactions at casinos and other gambling establishments between September 2022 and December 2025, primarily at MGM National Harbor Casino, Scarlett said.
Murray received about $406,440 in compensation from the software company between 2023 and 2025, according to the indictment and declaration.
Prosecutors also cited an earlier civil case filed against Murray by a Maryland information technology company that employed her from 2012 to 2018. The Prince George's County Circuit Court entered a default judgment of more than $1.61 million against Murray in September 2022, according to Scarlett.
The FBI agent said the allegations in that lawsuit involved manipulation of payroll and vendor payment systems and appeared similar to the conduct alleged in the federal case.
Prosecutors argued Murray presents a flight risk, citing her housing situation, lack of current employment and ties to Germany. Murray is a lawful permanent resident and German citizen, according to the declaration.
The government said it had found no international travel records or evidence that Murray planned to leave the country. The declaration also says her former husband lives in the area and her daughter recently returned to the region.
Brittany M. Davidson of the Federal Public Defender's Office was appointed to represent Murray, according to the docket.
The charges are allegations. The indictment does not constitute a finding of guilt.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Falls Church Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.