Ohio Controller Sought For Allegedly Embezzling $8.7 Million From Bottler

Ohio Authorities announced that James T. Hammes, 47, of Cincinnati, Ohio, is being sought in connection with the alleged embezzlement of $8,711,282.42 from G&J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers, Inc. of Symmes Township, Ohio with whom he had been employed as financial controller. The 75 count indictment includes 38 counts of wire fraud and 37 counts of money laundering. Prosecutors allege that Hammes created an unauthorized bank account for one of G&J's vendors, C.W. Zumbiel Co., depositing checks intended for the vendor and then transferring the funds to his personal accounts. The scheme lasted over 10 years, from 1998 to February 2009, according to prosecutors. Hammes fled after being initially charged in February and remains at large.

Hammes is a white male, 5’8” tall and weighs 195 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with any information on the current whereabouts of Mr. Hammes is requested to contact the Cincinnati FBI office at 513-421-4310.

Read the story here, here and here.

Read the DOJ announcement here.

Read the indictment here.