Former Guam resident Janet Mello admits to $100M fraud scheme in Texas

A former Guam woman indicted in a San Antonio district court admits to her role in a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme.

Janet Yamanaka Mello, an ex-civilian government employee, pleaded guilty to stealing $108 million from the Army, according to the San Antonio Express. 

She used the money, meant to help military children, to bankroll a life of opulence that lasted nearly seven years.

Mello, once the salutatorian of her high school graduating class in Guam, pleaded guilty to five counts of mail fraud and five charges of filing fraudulent tax returns.

She acknowledged committing crimes that amounted to one of the biggest thefts of public funds in Texas history.

The case led to Mello be nicknamed "Gucci Goddess."

The mail fraud charges each carry a maximum 20 years in prison. The tax charges each carry a maximum of three years in prison.

Her sentencing is scheduled for May 29.