Friday, October 31, 2008

Former McAfee Employee Arrested In $3.8 Million Fraud

Susan Despinic, 35, a former employee of McAfee, Inc. in Santa Clara County and her husband Aurawm Almaneih, 37, were arrested at their home in Los Gatos, California earlier this week for allegedly misappropriating $3.8 million from the company. From May 2005 to August 2007, Despinic, former product marketing manager of McAfee, allegedly steered business to companies in which she and her husband had a financial interest. Despinic also allegedly set up a "dummy" company to which funds were directed. The couple, who allegedly used the ill-gotten funds to purchase their Los Gatos home, each face one count of felony theft and one excessive-taking enhancement on suspicion of stealing. Despinic and Almaneih were released on $1 million and $1/2 million bail, respectively. A November 14th hearing date was set. If convicted, they face up to 7 years in prison.

We note that another former employee, Ayshah Maiorano, was arrested last year on similar charges in a case that is still pending.

The company has said that they have improved security at their Sunnyvale office where the embezzlements occured.

Read the story here and here.

This is a clear case of poor business controls which I assume is what the company means when they say they have "improved security."

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Ayshah Kindt-Maiorano