A South Lake Tahoe investment broker who in July pleaded not guilty to wire fraud switched her plea Oct. 21 to guilty.

Lori Zoval, 46, was indicted in July 2010 on three charges of wire fraud stemming from an alleged investment fraud scheme in 2005-06. She declined a plea agreement in February.

According to a Department of Justice press release, Zoval today admitted to embezzling nearly $25,000 in client money while working for a Folsom brokerage firm.

Zoval confessed she took the money after lying to clients about setting up tax shelters with the funds. Authorities say Zoval created false documents to make everything look legitimate.

Sentencing by U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. is scheduled for Jan. 6.

Lake Tahoe News first reported about Zoval in February regarding her dealings with Holly’s Place, a South Lake Tahoe vacation resort. However, no charges have been brought against Zoval concerning her interactions there.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report