United States of America v. Cynthia Marie Marabella and William Keolanui Costa

Las Vegas, Nevada, criminal defense lawyers represented the Defendants charged with wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343 and engaging in transactions in unlawful proceeds in violation of 18 U.S.C. 195l7.

Digested by Kent Morlan

From January 1, 2018, to about February 28, 2025, Cynthia Marie Marabella and her boyfriend co-defendant William Keolanui Costa devised a scheme to defraud Marabella’s employer, a Las Vegas construction company. As part of the scheme, they: fraudulently duplicated bonus checks and deposited the checks into bank accounts controlled by Marabella and Costa; opened credit cards in other peoples’ names and made unauthorized charges then paid the credit cards’ bills with stolen funds; provided false accounting records to the employer; created forged and false bank statements; and sent fictitious invoices from merchant accounts then paid the invoices with stolen funds.

Marabella and Costa used the stolen money to live in lavish mansions, to drive high-end cars, and to pay private school tuition. Marabella purchased high-end merchandise using the stolen funds and sold those items through an online consignment company. As a result of the fraud scheme, Marabella and Costa obtained more than $26 million from the employer.

Marabella pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of monetary transactions in criminally derived property.

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS - Sentencing and Disposition as to Cynthia Marie Marabella held on 7/29/2026 before Chief Judge Andrew P. Gordon. Crtrm Administrator: M. Johansen; AUSA: Kimberly Frayn; Def Counsel: Michael Kennedy and Lauren Gorman; USPO: Jeffrey Ventura; Court Reporter/Recorder: Judy Moore; Time of Hearing: 2:50 p.m. - 4:26 p.m.; 4:38 p.m. - 4:54 p.m.; Courtroom: 6C.

The Defendant is present and at liberty. Objections to the PSR addressed. Ms. Frayn and Mr. Kennedy presented sentencing arguments. The victim, Larry Gilmore, Jr., and the Defendant addressed the Court. Sentence is imposed. (see judgment) The Defendant acknowledged receipt of a copy of the conditions of supervised release. The Defendant is advised of her right to file an appeal. Final Order of Forfeiture executed. Bond shall be automatically exonerated upon written notification by the U.S. Marshal that the Defendant has self-surrendered as ordered. The Defendant is permitted to self-surrender by 12:00 p.m. on December 4, 2026.