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An Upper Marlboro woman pleaded guilty Nov. 3 to charges of stealing more than $1.4 million from her former employer, a Washington, D.C., law firm that represents children with special needs.

Tamika Beasley, 36, could face between up to 41 months in jail if convicted. Sentencing is scheduled for March 15 before U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia Colleen Collar-Kotelly.

Beasley worked as personnel director for James E. Brown and Associates from 2003 to 2008, according to firm owner James E. Brown.

In October 2008, Brown said another employee discovered one of Beasley's personal bank statements, which indicated she had received several large payments from Brown, none of which he had authorized.

Within a day, Brown said he confirmed she had stolen money from the company, fired her and reported her to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.

Further investigation uncovered an ongoing scheme where Beasley would direct money from the firm's line of credit to personal bank accounts while she did payroll, Brown said. She would then alter company records so firm records and bank statements that landed on Brown's desk looked normal.

"It's like somebody breaking into your house; you feel violated," Brown said.

In light of the theft, Brown said he has placed his daughter in charge of the firm's finances for now and plans to take out insurance on any future employees who handle finances.

Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Angela Schmidt investigated the case and handled the plea, according to U.S. attorney's office spokesman Ben Friedman.

Dani Jahn, a federal public defender for the District of Columbia, represented Beasley. She declined to comment on the case.

E-mail Zoe Tillman at ztillman@gazette.net.