Former Fortuna Councilmember Pleads Guilty to Four Federal Fraud Counts in Beacom Construction Embezzlement Case

Former Fortuna City Councilmember Christina “Kris” Mobley pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday to four felony fraud counts stemming from what prosecutors say was a years-long scheme to embezzle money from Beacom Construction, the Fortuna-based general contracting firm where she served in a high-level management role.

Mobley appeared before U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer on December 10, 2025, for a brief seven-minute change-of-plea hearing. Court records show Mobley was sworn in and entered guilty pleas to Counts 1, 3, 4, and 10 of the federal indictment. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Barry appeared for the government, and defense attorney Jennifer Wirsching represented Mobley.

According to the indictment, Mobley used her access to Beacom Construction’s financial systems to divert company funds for personal use over a period of more than two years. The charged conduct includes unauthorized checks mailed to her personal credit card accounts and electronic payments she initiated using interstate wire systems.

The four counts to which Mobley pleaded guilty represent both mail fraud (Counts 1 and 3) and wire fraud (Counts 4 and 10).

Earlier counts in the indictment describe a broader pattern of alleged theft through unauthorized checks, falsified payroll entries, and other schemes, but the government will move to dismiss those remaining counts at sentencing as part of the plea agreement. Under federal sentencing rules, however, judges may still consider the full scope of an embezzlement scheme—referred to as “relevant conduct”—when determining an appropriate sentence.

Mobley resigned from the Fortuna City Council in January, shortly before the FBI investigation became public. A federal grand jury indicted her on mail and wire fraud charges in early February, and the U.S. Department of Justice later detailed portions of the case in a public statement.

With her guilty plea now accepted by the court, Mobley is scheduled to return for sentencing on March 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in San Francisco.

Redheaded Blackbelt will continue covering developments in this case as it moves toward sentencing.

Earlier: 

• Breaking News: Fortuna City Councilmember Resigns Amid FBI Investigation
• Former Fortuna City Council Member Christina ‘Kris’ Mobley Indicted for Fraud, Accused of Embezzling Over $500,000 from Beacom Construction
• DOJ Releases Information About Former Fortuna Councilwoman’s Indictment