ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) – A Leander woman has been sentenced to nearly three years in federal prison after admitting to stealing more than $1 million from a private school for children with special needs.<\/p>\n
Federal prosecutors say 56-year-old Alysa Dietz Gisser was sentenced in Austin to 33 months in prison for wire fraud and tax evasion, according to the U.S Attorney\u2019s Office release.<\/p>\n
The case was announced by U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas.<\/p>\n
According to court documents, Gisser worked as a bookkeeper and accountant for an Austin-based nonprofit school. <\/p>\n
Investigators say that starting around 2018, she began diverting tuition payments and other funds by directing parents to send money to a PayPal account tied to her personal consulting business.<\/p>\n
Authorities say she disguised the account by renaming it to match the school\u2019s name, making it appear legitimate. <\/p>\n
She also altered the school\u2019s accounting records to show payments had been received, when the money was actually being deposited into her personal bank account.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors say Gisser used the stolen funds for personal expenses, including credit card payments, her mortgage and the installation of an in-ground swimming pool at her home.<\/p>\n
In total, officials say she embezzled more than $1 million and underreported her income by more than $863,000 between 2018 and 2021.<\/p>\n
Gisser was charged in December 2025 and pleaded guilty to both counts in January.<\/p>\n
In addition to her prison sentence, she was ordered to pay more than $1.3 million in restitution and faces a money judgment of just over $1 million.<\/p>\n
The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation. <\/p>\n
Officials say the agency\u2019s Houston Field Office covers a large region that includes Austin and stretches west to Odessa.<\/p>\n
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