Carolyn Ryberg:
Finding Faith through a Felony
Biographical Background
From the outside, one might wonder how Carolyn Ryberg allowed herself to become involved in white collar crime. She seemed to have it all: a good marriage, two children, a comfortable home in a Twin Cities suburb, and a substantial family income. However, this was merely a mirage - simply an “appearance” of living the American Dream. Instead, Ryberg was living her life as a sham through a series of unethical decisions, motivated by a maze of irrational thoughts: entitlement, sentimentality, super-optimism, and greed. Ryberg and her husband’s fraudulent scheme lasted nearly four years.
As the Human Resource Director for a large, privately held company with facilities in the Twin Cities, part of her husband’s responsibilities were contracting employee recruiting and search firms to assist the company in hiring employees. In a scheme to defraud his employer, he directed her as an independent contractor for his company. Carolyn Ryberg opened and owned three distinct entities at three separate times: Sourcing Unlimited, Fordham Consultants, and Personnel Resources. These businesses were registered with the State of Minnesota under Carolyn’s maiden name to conceal her involvement. Her husband then created and submitted fraudulent invoices to the company. The invoices billed the company for employee recruiting and search services purportedly performed by Ryberg’s three companies, when in truth, minimal services had been provided. From 1999 to 2003, the Rybergs’ received approximately $1 million as a result of the fraudulent invoices.
After pleading guilty to three counts of mail fraud, Ryberg and her husband were separated from their two minor children and sentenced to federal prison. Ryberg served a 24-month prison sentence, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In addition, she was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $964,264.57.
Presentation by Carolyn Ryberg (and Hank Shea)
Ryberg’s presentation reveals how a misguided and selfish value system led her down a self-destructive path of criminal wrongdoing, eventually leading to a felony conviction. Although most people would be devastated by a federal criminal conviction, Ryberg views her conviction as an extraordinary gift; a blessing, “In God’s infinite wisdom and mercy I was brought to justice and given an opportunity to accept responsibility for my wrongdoing and repent.” During Ryberg’s federal sentencing she resolved “to walk out the other side a better wife, a better mother, a better citizen,” and, indeed, she has. Ryberg tells a remarkable story of the profound impact her crimes had on her life, her family and her marriage.
This is a unique joint appearance with Hank Shea, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and current Fellow at the University of St. Thomas School of Law’s Holloran Center for Ethical Leadership in the Professions, who brings his almost two decades of experience as a federal prosecutor to the presentation. As Ryberg gives a personal account of her crimes and the impact they had on her life, Shea provides the government’s perspective on white collar crime and punishment in the federal system.
Lessons to be Learned from Ryberg
Ryberg’s story provides an invaluable lesson on ethics. “We’re all one bad decision away from being here,” she says. “All it takes is one lie.” Ryberg demonstrates that there are consequences for everyday decisions and urges both students and professionals to reflect on how they conduct themselves not only in their professional lives, but in their private lives as well, “If there is a gap between your public and private life, an inconsistency between the two, then it’s time to humble yourself and get help. Do an honest self evaluation with good solid accountability partners.” Ryberg’s outlook on white collar crime is unique because she is one of a minority of white collar criminals who can speak from the perspective of a woman of faith.
Audiences may request that Ryberg share the instrumental role faith played in her ability to humble herself, accept responsibility for her actions, and repent for her wrongdoing after her conviction.
To schedule a presentation with Hank Shea and Carolyn Ryberg, please contact: hjshea@stthomas.edu.
