Show-Me State Times

A former official from a St. Louis non-profit circus has been indicted on charges of embezzling over $120,000 through various fraudulent activities between December 2022 and September 2023.

George S. Pace, 61, from Ladue, faces six felony counts of wire fraud in the U.S. District Court in St. Louis. According to the indictment, Pace allegedly obtained two credit cards without authorization and used them for personal expenses such as dining and horseback riding. When questioned about these charges, Pace reportedly claimed the card had been stolen and falsely stated he had informed the bank about it. He also allegedly forged account statements to indicate that these charges were resolved.

At the time of these alleged activities, Pace was serving as president of the circus' board of directors.

The indictment further alleges that Pace redirected more than $50,000 in circus checks intended for paying down a line of credit at a bank into his own account. Additionally, he is accused of depositing donor checks meant for the circus into his personal account.

Moreover, the indictment claims that on August 9, 2022, Pace fraudulently applied for an $18,200 U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance Loan by misrepresenting his income and bank balance. A second loan application for $11,200 was allegedly submitted on August 20, 2022, where he concealed having received two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans totaling $38,515 from the SBA.

It is important to note that charges detailed in an indictment are accusations and do not prove guilt. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Each charge of wire fraud carries potential penalties including up to 20 years in prison or a fine up to $250,000 or both.

The FBI conducted the investigation with Assistant U.S. Attorney Gwendolyn Carroll prosecuting the case.