Three individuals have been charged with defrauding a cruise ship company out of more than $2 million, according to an announcement on April 17. The case is being handled in U.S. District Court in St. Louis.
The indictment alleges that Thomas Markwell, Nathan Boyd, and Joanna Dettman were involved in a scheme from June 2021 to September 2023 that resulted in fraudulent invoices and misuse of corporate funds. Federal prosecutors say the alleged fraud included inflated or fictitious invoices for goods and services that covered personal expenses for themselves and Markwell’s romantic partners.
Markwell, formerly senior director of events at the cruise line company and originally from near Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, was arrested in Argentina on Feb. 23 following an Interpol Red Notice after he failed to return as scheduled when his indictment was filed. He agreed to waive extradition and was surrendered to the United States with assistance from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.
Dettman appeared in court last October while Boyd appeared in November; both pleaded not guilty to wire fraud charges. The indictment states that Dettman also owned GEM Consulting LLC, which issued $100,000 in fraudulent invoices approved by Markwell as a vendor. Another fictitious business associated with one of Markwell’s romantic partners billed the cruise line $500,000 after being approved by him.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri investigates and prosecutes federal crimes such as terrorism and fraud while enforcing civil rights across its jurisdiction according to its official website. It serves 49 counties using facilities like the Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse in St. Louis and works closely with law enforcement agencies including the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service.
Charges set forth are accusations only; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The broader implications highlight ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address complex financial crimes impacting businesses nationwide as detailed by the U.S Attorney’s Office. The investigation continues under Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Ladendorf.
