From LehighValleyLife.com on 5.21.13:
An Emmaus couple used an elaborate scheme involving South Whitehall Township residents' utility payments to embezzle $854,497, according to the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office.
Nancy A. Tonkin, 66, and William J. Tonkin IV, 69, both of Little Lehigh Drive South in Emmaus, face several theft-related charges, which came as the result of a grand jury, officials announced today.
Nancy Tonkin was a clerk at South Whitehall Township, where she collected payments from residents, officials said, and William Tonkin was a township police officer. Residents have since been reimbursed, while the township continues to seek ways to make up the money, according to township Manager Jon Hammer. In the meantime, internal controls have been put in place to prevent a similar scheme, according to authorities.
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The stolen funds, taken between 1999 and June 2012, were used to pay for the Tonkins' daily needs and a gambling addiction, according to the grand jury report. Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin said the Tonkins were "certainly living above their means."
The couple frequented three Pennsylvania casinos and five New Jersey casinos, including the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, according to the report. Gaming records showed Nancy Tonkin lost $94,785 from slot machines and William Tonkin lost $21,452 from 2003 to 2012 alone.
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Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Former Missouri Banker Sentenced For Embezzling $1.2 Million
From the Salem News on 5.21.13:
Irvin R. Eddington, Jr., was sentenced Monday afternoon to 57 months in prison on bank fraud and embezzlement charges, involving his issuance of fraudulent letters of credit while he was Vice President and Manager of the Ellington Branch of People’s Community State Bank. In addition to the prison sentence, he was ordered to pay restitution of $1.2 million.
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Eddington, 43, Ellington, pled guilty in February to one felony count of bank fraud and one felony count of embezzlement by a bank employee, and appeared Monday afternoon for sentencing before United States District Judge Carol E. Jackson, in Cape Girardeau.
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Irvin R. Eddington, Jr., was sentenced Monday afternoon to 57 months in prison on bank fraud and embezzlement charges, involving his issuance of fraudulent letters of credit while he was Vice President and Manager of the Ellington Branch of People’s Community State Bank. In addition to the prison sentence, he was ordered to pay restitution of $1.2 million.
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Eddington, 43, Ellington, pled guilty in February to one felony count of bank fraud and one felony count of embezzlement by a bank employee, and appeared Monday afternoon for sentencing before United States District Judge Carol E. Jackson, in Cape Girardeau.
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Iowa Accountant Sentenced For Embezzling $332K From Client
From CBS4 News on 5.21.13:
A Clinton woman who ran an accounting business has been sentenced to nearly two years in prison for embezzling $332,000 from a client.
A judge also ordered Regina Jimenez to pay the money back and spend a year on supervised release. Prosecutors say Jimenez operated AA Accounting and Tax Services in Clinton from 2007 to 2011.
A Clinton woman who ran an accounting business has been sentenced to nearly two years in prison for embezzling $332,000 from a client.
A judge also ordered Regina Jimenez to pay the money back and spend a year on supervised release. Prosecutors say Jimenez operated AA Accounting and Tax Services in Clinton from 2007 to 2011.
West Virginia Woman Sentenced To Prison For Embezzling As Much As $200K From Municipality
From the Register-Herald on 5.21.13:
Monroe Circuit Judge Robert Irons sentenced a former Alderson Town Hall employee to one to 10 years in a state penitentiary for embezzlement.
Jacalyn Ann Villars entered a Kennedy plea in March to the felony of embezzling more than $1,000 from the town. A Kennedy plea does not involve an admission of guilt, but a defendant entering such a plea stands convicted of the charge.
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Speculation in the community has put the total figure of funds embezzled as low as $96,000 and as high as $200,000.
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Monroe Circuit Judge Robert Irons sentenced a former Alderson Town Hall employee to one to 10 years in a state penitentiary for embezzlement.
Jacalyn Ann Villars entered a Kennedy plea in March to the felony of embezzling more than $1,000 from the town. A Kennedy plea does not involve an admission of guilt, but a defendant entering such a plea stands convicted of the charge.
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Speculation in the community has put the total figure of funds embezzled as low as $96,000 and as high as $200,000.
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Nevada Man Pleads Guilty To $5.6 Million Embezzlement Scheme
From the Associated Press on 5.21.13:
A Las Vegas man has pleaded guilty to fraud charges in connection with the embezzlement of $5.6 million from the prominent builder of residential high-rises in the Vegas area over nearly five years.
U.S. Attorney Daniel Bogden says Rocco Lazazzaro pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy to commit wire fraud at the Florida-based Turnberry Associates.
He says Lazazzaro personally was responsible for stealing about $3.7 million from the company that owned or developed the Residences at MGM, Town Square shopping center and the Stirling Club in Las Vegas, among others.
Ex-Turnberry controller Hope Ippoliti also pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Her sentencing is set for July 11 and Lazazzaro's for Aug. 22.
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Monday, May 20, 2013
2 Indicted In $465K St. Louis Municipal Embezzlement Conspiracy Case
From KMOX on 5.20.13:
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Last week, a federal grand jury indicted 43-year-old Thomas “Dan” Stritzel, the city’s chief park ranger, and 55-year-old deputy parks commissioner Joseph Vacca. The indictment released Thursday accuses each man of three mail-fraud counts, alleging they men used various schemes to spend $465,000 on vehicle leases, credit card bills and other expenses.
Prosecutors say the theft, allegedly committed over the course of seven years, was so clever it would have been almost impossible to detect. Still, Roth says department heads are going to discern how to make their systems even more secure.
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Last week, a federal grand jury indicted 43-year-old Thomas “Dan” Stritzel, the city’s chief park ranger, and 55-year-old deputy parks commissioner Joseph Vacca. The indictment released Thursday accuses each man of three mail-fraud counts, alleging they men used various schemes to spend $465,000 on vehicle leases, credit card bills and other expenses.
Prosecutors say the theft, allegedly committed over the course of seven years, was so clever it would have been almost impossible to detect. Still, Roth says department heads are going to discern how to make their systems even more secure.
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Former Municipal Employee In Michigan Charged With Embezzling More Than $300K
From WoodTV8 on 5.17.13:
A former Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department employee has been charged with embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from her employer.
Deborah Salmon worked at the front counter of the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, taking cash payments for 15 years.
But Friday, city officials told 24 Hour News 8 that she embezzled more than $300,000 over at least the last eight years from the city.
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A former Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department employee has been charged with embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from her employer.
Deborah Salmon worked at the front counter of the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, taking cash payments for 15 years.
But Friday, city officials told 24 Hour News 8 that she embezzled more than $300,000 over at least the last eight years from the city.
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Former Bank Teller Indicted For Allegedly Embezzling $245K From Illinois Bank
From the Chicago Tribune on 5.1.13:
A former Geneva bank teller has been indicted in what prosecutors called a scheme to use bank customers’ account information to steal at least $245,000.
Court documents show that federal charges were filed Thursday against Clarice Watkins. She is being charged with four counts of bank fraud, two counts of aggravated identity theft and a single count of fraud.
According to the indictment, Watkins was a teller at a Fifth Third Bank branch in Geneva, and from April 2008 to April 2010 was believed to have stolen profile information from customers who came to her teller window, targeting those with large account balances.
Watkins schemed with another person – known as “Individual A” in the indictment – to steal the money and agreed to split the profits from the plan, the indictment states. It’s alleged Watkins accessed customer profiles of at least 14 bank account-holders, records state.
That profile information was used to make unauthorized wire transfers, the indictment alleges.
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A former Geneva bank teller has been indicted in what prosecutors called a scheme to use bank customers’ account information to steal at least $245,000.
Court documents show that federal charges were filed Thursday against Clarice Watkins. She is being charged with four counts of bank fraud, two counts of aggravated identity theft and a single count of fraud.
According to the indictment, Watkins was a teller at a Fifth Third Bank branch in Geneva, and from April 2008 to April 2010 was believed to have stolen profile information from customers who came to her teller window, targeting those with large account balances.
Watkins schemed with another person – known as “Individual A” in the indictment – to steal the money and agreed to split the profits from the plan, the indictment states. It’s alleged Watkins accessed customer profiles of at least 14 bank account-holders, records state.
That profile information was used to make unauthorized wire transfers, the indictment alleges.
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Missouri Woman Charged With Embezzling Nearly $400K From Bank
From Southeast Missourian on 5.20.13:
The FBI arrested a First Midwest Bank employee Friday on suspicion of embezzling nearly $400,000 from the institution.
Bank teller supervisor Leslie Ann Eastwood Kirby, 38, of Poplar Bluff turned herself in to authorities at approximately 8:30 a.m. at the Poplar Bluff Police Department.
She was taken by FBI agents to a federal holding facility, according to Poplar Bluff police chief Danny Whiteley.
Kirby is accused of taking the funds during a period of time ending March 28, according to a copy of an indictment filed with the Southeastern Division of the U.S. District Court's Eastern District.
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The indictment filed by federal prosecutor Morley Swingle said Kirby "willfully misapplied or embezzled the sum of approximately $397,000 of the funds … in that the defendant wrongfully and without authorization took money that came into her possession as the supervisor of the bank tellers and used it for her own benefit."
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The FBI arrested a First Midwest Bank employee Friday on suspicion of embezzling nearly $400,000 from the institution.
Bank teller supervisor Leslie Ann Eastwood Kirby, 38, of Poplar Bluff turned herself in to authorities at approximately 8:30 a.m. at the Poplar Bluff Police Department.
She was taken by FBI agents to a federal holding facility, according to Poplar Bluff police chief Danny Whiteley.
Kirby is accused of taking the funds during a period of time ending March 28, according to a copy of an indictment filed with the Southeastern Division of the U.S. District Court's Eastern District.
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The indictment filed by federal prosecutor Morley Swingle said Kirby "willfully misapplied or embezzled the sum of approximately $397,000 of the funds … in that the defendant wrongfully and without authorization took money that came into her possession as the supervisor of the bank tellers and used it for her own benefit."
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Sunday, May 19, 2013
Indiana Man Pleads No Contest In $183K Michigan Embezzlement Case
From WDRB on 5.18.13:
An Indiana man faces up to 20 years in prison in an embezzlement case from Battle Creek.
James Korson is accused of taking $183,000 from Pyper Products. The 56-year-old from Angola, Ind., pleaded no contest to embezzlement in Calhoun County Circuit Court on Friday.
A no contest plea isn't an admission of guilt but is treated as such for sentencing.
Battle Creek police say Korson took the money between 2005 and 2009 while he wa
s working as a controller.
The Battle Creek Enquirer reports Korson already is serving a 20-month to 15-year prison sentence after a plea to embezzling money from a Jackson County company, where he worked after leaving Pyper.
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An Indiana man faces up to 20 years in prison in an embezzlement case from Battle Creek.
James Korson is accused of taking $183,000 from Pyper Products. The 56-year-old from Angola, Ind., pleaded no contest to embezzlement in Calhoun County Circuit Court on Friday.
A no contest plea isn't an admission of guilt but is treated as such for sentencing.
Battle Creek police say Korson took the money between 2005 and 2009 while he wa
s working as a controller.
The Battle Creek Enquirer reports Korson already is serving a 20-month to 15-year prison sentence after a plea to embezzling money from a Jackson County company, where he worked after leaving Pyper.
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Friday, May 17, 2013
Former Dental Professor In Virginia Pleads Guilty To Embezzling More Than $137K
From the Times-Dispatch on 5.16.13:
A retired Virginia Commonwealth University dental professor almost got away with stealing more than $100,000 from the VCU Dental Faculty Practice Association, authorities said.
But James E. Hardigan was undone by a measly 63 cents that was left in an account from which he had taken a large sum of money, according to Richmond prosecutor John Jung.
Hardigan, 69, pleaded guilty Thursday in Richmond Circuit Court to felony embezzlement of $137,553.
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In 1995, Hardigan opened an investment account with $500,000 under the association’s name, using money that belonged to the association, Jung said.
In 2004, Hardigan retired from VCU, Jung said. The following year, he moved $137,553 from the account that had been opened in the association’s name into a personal account, Jung said.
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A retired Virginia Commonwealth University dental professor almost got away with stealing more than $100,000 from the VCU Dental Faculty Practice Association, authorities said.
But James E. Hardigan was undone by a measly 63 cents that was left in an account from which he had taken a large sum of money, according to Richmond prosecutor John Jung.
Hardigan, 69, pleaded guilty Thursday in Richmond Circuit Court to felony embezzlement of $137,553.
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In 1995, Hardigan opened an investment account with $500,000 under the association’s name, using money that belonged to the association, Jung said.
In 2004, Hardigan retired from VCU, Jung said. The following year, he moved $137,553 from the account that had been opened in the association’s name into a personal account, Jung said.
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Another Weak Embezzlement Sentence In Massachusetts: Man Gets Probation After Stealing $910K From Town and Non-Profit
From the Medford Patch on 5.17.13:
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A Medford man who recently pled guilty to embezzling close to $1 million will not serve any jail time, something that reportedly is not sitting well with some according to a local news station.
FOX 25 News reported that Timothy McDaid, who embezzled $910,000 combined from the Maynard retirement fund and Asperger's Association of New England in separate cases, pled guilty to charges of larceny over $250, uttering a false check and forgery.
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A Medford man who recently pled guilty to embezzling close to $1 million will not serve any jail time, something that reportedly is not sitting well with some according to a local news station.
FOX 25 News reported that Timothy McDaid, who embezzled $910,000 combined from the Maynard retirement fund and Asperger's Association of New England in separate cases, pled guilty to charges of larceny over $250, uttering a false check and forgery.
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Thursday, May 16, 2013
Former Texas Banker Sentenced For Embezzling $385K
From KCBD 11 on 5.16.13:
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Donnie Wright, 53, of Lubbock, Texas, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings to 37 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $385,356 in restitution following his guilty plea in February 2013 to one count of bank embezzlement by a bank employee. Judge Cummings ordered that Wright surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on June 20, 2013. Today's announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.
According to documents filed in the case, Wright was employed by Bank of America in Lubbock, as a Branch Manager at the 5144 82nd Street location. The factual resume states that Wright was a member of the Board of Deacons and Trustee at Community Baptist Church (CBC) in Lubbock. Beginning in May 2006 and continuing to January 24, 2010, Wright used his position as a Bank of America employee to embezzle funds owned by CBC and entrusted to the custody and care of Bank of America. He employed a variety of methods to embezzle the funds, including embezzling from CBC's Certificates of Deposits held at the bank; making cash withdrawals from CBC's accounts using debit (withdrawal) tickets; and fraudulently drawing checks on CBC's checking account.
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Donnie Wright, 53, of Lubbock, Texas, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings to 37 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $385,356 in restitution following his guilty plea in February 2013 to one count of bank embezzlement by a bank employee. Judge Cummings ordered that Wright surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on June 20, 2013. Today's announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.
According to documents filed in the case, Wright was employed by Bank of America in Lubbock, as a Branch Manager at the 5144 82nd Street location. The factual resume states that Wright was a member of the Board of Deacons and Trustee at Community Baptist Church (CBC) in Lubbock. Beginning in May 2006 and continuing to January 24, 2010, Wright used his position as a Bank of America employee to embezzle funds owned by CBC and entrusted to the custody and care of Bank of America. He employed a variety of methods to embezzle the funds, including embezzling from CBC's Certificates of Deposits held at the bank; making cash withdrawals from CBC's accounts using debit (withdrawal) tickets; and fraudulently drawing checks on CBC's checking account.
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Revised State Rankings For Weakest Sentencing Record On Major Embezzlements For 2012
Based upon the just announced probation sentence of a woman in Massachusetts who stole $110,000 from a town for which she had served as treasurer, we have re-ranked the states in terms of sentencing durations on major embezzlements for 2012 in The Marquet Report on Embezzlement:
CO 6 (0.5)
WI 18 (1.5)
LA 23 (1.9)
MN 23 (1.9)
VA 24 (2.0)
OR 26 (2.2)
KS 26 (2.2)
OH 28 (2.3)
CT 28 (2.3)
That is, Massachusetts and Colorado appear to have very lenient sentencing for white collar crimes.
State Months (years)
MA 5 (0.4)CO 6 (0.5)
WI 18 (1.5)
LA 23 (1.9)
MN 23 (1.9)
VA 24 (2.0)
OR 26 (2.2)
KS 26 (2.2)
OH 28 (2.3)
CT 28 (2.3)
That is, Massachusetts and Colorado appear to have very lenient sentencing for white collar crimes.
Massachusetts Woman Gets Probation After Pleading Guilty To Embezzling $110K From Municipality; Makes State Weakest In Nation For Sentencing On Embezzlements
From The Boston Globe on 5.16.13:
A woman who embezzled more than $100,000 from Westfield while working in the city collector’s office has avoided prison time.
A woman who embezzled more than $100,000 from Westfield while working in the city collector’s office has avoided prison time.
Susan Duffy was sentenced Wednesday in federal court in Springfield to three years of probation, including a year of house arrest. She was also ordered to repay the money.
Prosecutors say she stole $110,000 from 2008 until 2011.
The 49-year-old Duffy pleaded guilty last year to embezzlement and false income tax reporting charges. She had faced up to 18 months in prison.
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Duffy’s lawyer said his client was struggling with the death of her mother, a divorce and a child’s health problems. Duffy apologized in court.
Note from Chris: This is more evidence demonstrating why Massachusetts ranked as one of the weakest states in terms of sentencing for these types of major embezzlements. See The 2012 Marquet Report on Embezzlement. In fact, with this sentence in a 2012 case, Massachusetts became the weakest (beating out Colorado) state for judicial consequences.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Colorado Man Expected To Plead Guilty To Embezzling $255K From Employer
From The Cortez Journal on 5.14.13:
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Brian K. Shoults, 42, worked as a bookkeeper for Office Outpost in Cortez for three years. During that time he allegedly defrauded the company by depositing unauthorized payroll money into a personal account, according to an indictment handed down February 4 by a federal grand jury in Durango.
Jeff Dorschner, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office, said Wednesday that Shoults initially pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud and tax evasion, but has requested a change-of-plea hearing, scheduled for May 29 in a Denver federal courtroom.
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The federal indictment alleges that between April 8, 2008, and Aug, 25, 2011, Shoults obtained $255,000 “by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses” from the bank accounts of Copy Shop Inc. doing business as Office Outpost.
As bookkeeper for Office Outpost, Shoults had access to the company bank account and was responsible for payroll accounting for the firm’s 15 employees. According to the indictment, “The defendant would prepare bi-weekly payroll and pay himself more than he should have received ... then ... transfer the inflated amount into his personal bank account.”
In an attempt to hide the fraudulent transactions, “the defendant would record these overpayments either generically as ‘Payroll Expenses’ or other business expenses and in some instances make no record of such payment.”
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