Massachusetts Woman Sentenced For Embezzling More Than $120K From Bank Customer Accounts

Kathleen Didonato, 49, of Foxborough, Massachusetts, has been sentenced to one year in prison for embezzling more than $120,000 from bank customer accounts of North Easton Savings Bank where she had been employed as an assistant manager.  According to authorities, over a period of nearly 5 months, from October 2010 until February 2011, Didonato made at least 126 fraudulent transfers or used bank checks written on the customer accounts for her own benefit.  Didonato, who pleaded guilty last December to embezzlement, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, was also ordered to pay full restitution.  She reportedly used the ill-gotten gains to purchase personal luxury items, including an automobile.

Read the story here and here.

Missouri Interior Designer Pleads Guilty To Defrauding Clients Out Of More Than $1 Million

Kay T. Ottinger, 51, of St. Louis, Missouri, has pleaded guilty to charges she defrauded her interior design clients out of more than $1 million.  According to authorities, Ottinger, who ran Well Appointed, Inc., inflated invoices by as much as 30 percent and creating phony invoices which she presented to her high end clients for payment. 

Read the story here.

Pennsylvania Man Charged With Embezzling $196K From Bank

David Parsons, 38, of Shillington, Pennsylvania, has been charged with embezzling $196,000 from a customer account at Metro Bank where he had been employed as a bank manager.  According to authorities, over a six month period, from March through August 2011, Parsons siphoned funds from an account of a bank client who was in jail for his own benefit.  Specifically, Parsons created debit cards using the customer's personal information and account number and began withdrawing money from the customer's accounts.  Parsons was charged with identity theft, forgery and related charges.

Read the story here.

Hat tip: FraudTalk reader Joe.

Missouri Man Sentenced For Embezzling Nearly $189K From Financial Concern's Client Accounts

Duane Cook, 36, of Spanish Lake, Missouri, has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for embezzling nearly $189,000 from client trust accounts at Edward Jones Trust Co. where he had been employed as a trust specialist.  According to authorities, over a period of more than 5 years, from May 2006 to June 2011, Cook siphoned funds from three client trust accounts at the financial institution.  Specifically, Cook issued false invoices and had 61 checks issued made out to “Fever,” a phony company he created to perpetrate the fraud.  Cook, who pleaded guilty in January 2012 to one felony count of mail fraud, was also ordered to pay full restitution.

Read the story here and here.

Illinois Man Pleads Guilty To Embezzling Nearly $100K From Auto Dealership

Robert M. Garcia, 54, of Maryland Heights, Illinois has pleaded guilty to charges admitting he embezzled $99,000 from Auffenberg Dealer Group, Inc. where he had been employed as finance manager.  According to authorities, Garcia pocketed customer payments over an unspecified period of time.  Specifically, Garcia pleaded guilty to wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in prison. 

Read the story here and here.

Michigan Woman Suspected In $250K Embezzlement From Gas Station To Feed Gambling Addiction

Bette D. Wicker, 61, of Westland, Michigan has been accused of embezzling as much as $250,000 from Rod Harris' Sunoco Gas station in Westland where she had been a trusted employee for more than 23 years.  According to owner Rod Harris, Wicker had been stealing from the business "for years" apparently to feed a gambling addiction.  She has been criminally charged on one count of felony embezzlement.

Developing...

Read the story here.

Mississippi Woman Pleads Guilty To Bank Fraud In Connection With $387K Embezzlement

Deanna Mickle, 42, of Florence, Mississippi, has pleaded guilty to bank fraud charges in connection with her alleged embezzlement of $387,165 from Barlow Eddy Jenkins, a local architectural firm where she had been employed as bookkeeper.  According to authorities, over a period of about 7 years, beginning in 2004, Mickle wrote checks to herself and forging the signature of a former employee who was authorized to sign checks for the firm.  Mickle is scheduled to be sentenced on August 16, 2012.

Read the story here.

Update (8/17/12): Mickle was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison and ordered to pay restitution of $384,995.45 to Barlow Eddy Jenkins. 

Former Bank Executive In Louisiana Charged With Bank Fraud For Embezzling $200K To Purchase A Yacht

Richard Blossman Jr., 52, of Covington, Louisiana has been charged with bank fraud in connection with the misappropriation of $200,000 from Central Progressive Bank where he had served as CEO.  The fraud was perpetrated reportedly to allow Blossman to purchase a yacht.  Meanwhile the bank failed and was taken over by the FDIC and sold to First NBC in December 2011.

Read the story here.

Hat tip: FraudTalk reader Joe.

Connecticut Man Strikes Plea Agreement In $458K Embezzlement Case

Athanasios "Tom" Louizis, 36, of Bridgeport, Connecticut has reached a plea agreement with prosecutors by pleading guilty to a single count of first-degree larceny in connection with his embezzlement of more than $458,000 from Barden Corp. where he had handled procurements through a third party, Industrial Distribution Group.  According to authorities, over a period of more than 4 years, from February 2004 to June 2008, Louizis created fraudulent purchase orders for electrical wires and drills, which he then sold to electrical contracting and industrial supply companies in Stamford and Norwalk at a "60 percent" discount.  Louizis was originally arrested in 2010 and charged with four counts of first-degree larceny. 

Read the story here and here.

Former California Attorney Sentenced For Embezzling $275K From Client Estates

William Peter Terhune, II, 57, of Pismo Beach, California, has been sentenced to 213 days in jail for embezzling at least $275,000 from his clients' estate trust accounts.  Terhune was also ordered to pay full restitution.  He pleaded no contest to felony grand theft by embezzlement in July 2011.  Terhune has also been stripped of his law license.

Read the story here and here.

Hat tip: FraudTalk reader Joe.

Florida Woman Charged With Embezzling $200K From Non-Profit

Kimberly Sue Ross, 45, of St. Petersburg, Florida, has been arrested and charged with embezzling about $200,000 from the Sanderlin Neighborhood Family Center, a local non-profit for which she had served as program manager responsible for the agency's finances.  According to authorities, over a period of about 8 years, beginning in 2004 and continuing until December 2011, Ross siphoned funds from the non-profit by causing banking transfers for her own benefit.

Read the story here and here.

Texas Woman & Accomplices Arrested For Allegedly Embezzling $185K

Laura Marissa Castillo, believed to be in her 30s and from Temple, Texas, has been arrested, along with three accomplices, for allegedly embezzling nearly $185,000 from Wolff Construction where she had been employed as head of payroll.  According to authorities, over a period of 2 years, from April 2010 through March 2012, Castillo wrote fraudulent checks to her accomplices, including Carlos Reyna Jr., Jeremy Mendoza Montalbo, and Michael Tomas Trevino, her husband, brother-in-law and cousin, respectively.

Read the story here.

Hat tip: FraudTalk reader Joe.

Illinois Accountant Accused Of Embezzling $285K

Shaun T. Horan, 31, of Aurora, Illinois, has been charged with embezzling $285,000 from Resource One, where he had been employed as an accountant.  According to authorities, over a period of at least 4 years, from 2007 through 2011, Horan write company checks to himself or for his own benefit.  Horan reportedly attempted to hide the alleged embezzlement by altering or deleting entries in the company’s books.  He faces up to 15 years in prison if he is convicted. 

Read the story here and here.

Wisconsin Woman Charged With Embezzling $576K

Susan D. Tatro, 43, of Antigo, Wisconsin, has been charged with embezzling $576,000 from the Waukesha Bearings Corporation where she had been employed as Human Resource Director.  According to authorities, over a five year period from January 2006 to January 2011, Tatro wrote numerous checks from the company's petty cash account at CoVantage Credit Union to herself.  Tatro, who was charged with 30 counts of wire fraud, faces up to 10 years in prison, plus fines and restitution, if convicted.

Read the story here and here.

Hat tip: FraudTalk reader Joe.

Former North Carolina County DSS Director Gets Slap On The Wrist For Embezzling $184K From Agency

Lisa Payne Davis, believed to be in her mid-40s, of Cherokee County, North Carolina, was sentenced to 44 months in prison but with all suspended except one year probation for embezzling $186,000 from the Cherokee County Department of Social Services where she had served as director.  Details of Davis' defalcation are scant.

Developing...

Read the story here.

Massachusetts Woman Accused Of Embezzling More Than $200K From Real Estate Trust Accounts

Farkhanda "Kandy" Tarar Shah, 61, of Peabody, Massachusetts, has been accused of embezzling more than $200,000 from the trust accounts of her real estate businesses, K-Realty and doing business as Eastern Mortgage.  According to prosecutors, over a period of at least two years, from 2007 through 2009, Shah took down payments for short-sale home purchases.  Shah's real estate and broker's licenses were revoked by the state when allegations first arose in 2010. 

Read the story here and here.

Texas Woman Sentenced From Embezzling $175K From Bank

Priscilla Delarosa, 32, of Lamesa, Texas, has been sentenced to 46 months in prison for embezzling more than $175,000 from Compass Bank where she had been employed.  According to authorities, Delarosa abused a bank client's debit card for her own benefit.  Delarosa was originally indicted in October 2011 and charged with additional counts of fraud with use of an access device and with making false statements to investigators.  The fraud spanned an unspecified period of time.


Read the story here, here and here.

New Jersey Woman Charged With Embezzling $186K From Healthcare Non-Profit

Jhoanna Engelhardt-Fullar

Jhoanna Engelhardt-Fullar, 41, of Burlington Township, New Jersey, has been charged with embezzling $186,000 from Princeton Healthcare Systems, a non-profit health provider where she had served as a director of medical staff services.  According to authorities, over an 18 month period, from April 2010 to December 2011, Engelhardt-Fullar wrote checks to herself and abused company credit cards for her own benefit. 

Read the story here and here.

Update (12/18/12): Engelhardt-Fullar was sentenced to 4 years in prison.  She was also ordered to pay partial restitution of $72,000.

North Carolina Woman Indicted For Embezzling More Than $100K; Faces Additional Charges For Allegedly Embezzling From Another Company

Susan Davenport, 42, of Aulander, North Carolina, already facing indictment she embezzled more than $100,000 from her prior unnamed employer, is facing new charges she embezzled $2,700 from her current employer, RIMTYME Custom Wheels, where she has been employed as office manager.

Developing...

Read the story here and here.

Oregon Woman Pleads Guilty To Embezzling $848K

Rhonda M. Milligan, 41, of Lebanon, Oregon, has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $848,000 from the accounts of an executive of ENTEK Manufacturing, Inc., where she had been employed as a bookkeeper.  According to authorities, over a period of about 5 1/2 years, from December 2005 to July 2011, Milligan siphoned funds from the personal accounts of James Young, the company's former CEO, by writing checks for her own benefit.  Originally it was thought that Milligan had embezzled directly from the company itself.  However, the company issued a statement clarifying that the monies she had embezzled were from personal accounts, not company accounts.

Read the story here and here.

Update (2/8/13): Milligan, now 42, was sentenced to 27 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $848,156.

California Vice Mayor Accused Of Embezzling $159K From Insurance Client

Joseph Medrano

Joseph Medrano, 48, of Clayton, California and the Vice Mayor of that city, has been accused of embezzling $159,000 from iPass, a client of his as an insurance broker.  According to authorities, Medrano kept insurance coverage premiums for iPass meant to be forwarded to Travelers Insurance.  Medrano, who was charged in February 2011, has plead not guilty.  Medrano also faces a civil suit filed by Travelers to recoup the premiums he allegedly kept for himself.

Read the story here.

Update (6/2/12): Medrano has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Update (1/11/13): Medrano was sentenced to 3 years in prison.

West Virginia Man Charged With Embezzling $250K From Real Estate Concern

George H. Van Wagner, 59, of Martinsburg, West Virginia has been charged with embezzling $250,000 from Topaz LLC, a real estate development firm he founded with Berkeley County Sheriff's Deputy Steven Crites in 2006.  Van Wagner has been charged with one count of felony embezzlement and four counts of conducting fraudulent schemes.  Crites has been on administrative leave since his indictment in April on bank fraud charges.

Read the story here, here and here.

Former Hawaiian Boating Official Sentenced For Embezzling $125K From State

Wesley Choi, 39, of Honolulu, Hawaii, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for embezzling $125,000 from the State of Hawaii for whom he had been employed as assistant district manager for small boat harbors on Oahu.  According to authorities, over an unspecified period of time, Choi made false bids for non-existent facility repair jobs then awarded himself the contracts.  Choi pleaded guilty last March. 

Read the story here and here.

Wisconsin Man Charged With Embezzling $144K From Youth Hockey Association

Daniel H. Lehman, 54, of Reedsburg, Wisconsin has been arrested and charged with embezzling about $144,000 from the Reedsburg Youth Hockey Association where he had served as longtime treasurer.  According to authorities, over a period of 10 years, Lehman wrote numerous checks to himself, averaging $1,200 per month for 10 years.  Lehman was confronted by police and reportedly admitted to the thefts.

Read the story here and here.

Former Kansas Municipal Worker Pleads Guilty To Embezzling $120K

Laura Whittley, 49, of Thayer, Kansas, has pleaded guilty to embezzling $120,000 from the City of Thayer where she had been employed as a city clerk.   Specifically, Whittley pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of money laundering in connection with the embezzlement.  According to authorities, Whittley stole cash payments made by citizens for utilities, licenses and other fees, wrote checks to herself, abused a municipal credit card account and submitted fraudulent invoices for reimbursement. 

Read the story here and here.

Read the DOJ announcement here.

Mississippi Woman Charged With Embezzling $473K From Insurance Concern

Pauline "Bernice" Lile, 62, of Columbus, Mississippi, has been charged with embezzling more than $473,000 from Jack Gordman Insurance where she had been employed.  According to authorities, over a period of a year and a half from January 2010 through August 2011, Lile siphoned funds from the company to the tune of about $800 per day. 

Developing...

Read the story here.

Update (12/8/12): Lile was sentneced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to embezzlement charges.  She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $474,238.

Washington State Woman Pleads Not Guilty To Embezzling More Than $500K From Trade Magazine

Patricia L. Long, 59, of Vancouver, Washington, has pleaded not guilty to charges she embezzled more than $500,000 from BuilderNews Magazine where she had been employed as a bookkeeper.  According to authorities, over a period of 5 years, Long siphoned funds from the company.  She has been charged with ten counts of first-degree identity theft and one count of second-degree theft.  Prosecutors alleged that Long embezzled from a prior employer and has a gambling problem.  However, she reportedly has no prior criminal record.  Meanwhile, the magazine had to go out of business after 15 years. 

Read the story here and here.

Texas Woman Pleads Guilty To Embezzling $131K From Bank

Rebecca A. Herrod, 56, of Shepard, Texas, has pleaded guilty to embezzling about $131,500 from an unnamed bank in the Houston area.  According to prosecutors, over an unspecified period of time, Herrod made withdrawals from bank customer accounts ultimately for her own benefit.  She faces up to 30 years in prison, plus fines and restitution.

Read the story here.

Ohio Man Charged With Embezzling At Least $470K From Charter Schools

Carl W. Shye, Jr., 57, of New Albany, Ohio, has been charged with embezzling more than $470,000 from at least 4 charter schools for which he had served as treasurer.  According to authorities, over a period of about 6 years, from 2005 through 2011, Shye made cash withdrawals from the George Washington Carver Preparatory Academy, Legacy Academy for Leaders and the Arts, NuBethel Center of Excellence and New City Community School.  Each of these schools have been closed due to academic or financial failings, according to press reports.

Developing...

Read the story here and here.

Update (6/21/12): Shye has pleaded guilty and agreed to pay restitution of $672,000.

Update (10/31/12): Shye was sentenced to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay $472,579.90  in restitution.

Connecticut Man Pleads Guilty To Embezzling $348K From Non-Profit

William J. Lavimoniere, 51, of Plainfield, Connecticut, has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $348,000 from Project Genesis, Inc., a local non-profit that assists individuals with disabilities, where he had served as Chief Financial Officer.  According to authorities, over a period of more than 3 years, from June 2008 to September 2011, Lavimoniere siphoned funds from the agency by manipulating the payroll system and pocketing salaries from previously terminated employees.  He is reported to  have spent the money on personal expenses as well as travel, entertainment and home improvements.  Lavimoniere reportedly owes nearly $300,000 in back taxes, according to the IRS.  Specifically, Lavimoniere pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, one count of failure to file a tax return and one count of aiding or assisting in the filing of a false tax return.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 1, 2012.

Read the story here.

Read the DOJ announcement here.

Update (10/10/12): Lavimoniere was sentenced to 33 months in prison and ordered to pay full restutition.

South Carolina Woman Pleads Guilty To Embezzling $440K From Nursing Home

Tina Clinton

Tina Clinton, 36, of Newberry, South Carolina, has pleaded guilty to charges she embezzled more than $440,000 from the J.F. Hawkins Nursing Home where she had been employed as a bookkeeper.  According to authorities, over a period of about 4 years, from 2005 to 2009, Clinton pocketed social security and veteran's benefits checks intended for residents of the nursing home totalling $440,958.05.  Specifically, Clinton has pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and five counts of filing false tax returns.  Clinton's plea agreement requires her to make full restitution.

Read the story here and here.

Update (10/16/12): Clinton was sentenced to 30 months in jail and ordered to pay full restitution.

Indiana Woman To Be Prosecuted For Allegedly Embezzling $310K

Virlissa Cynthia Crenshaw, 42, of East Chicago, Indiana, is to be prosecuted for allegedly embezzling about $310,000 from the Town of Merrillville where she had been employed as a court clerk.  According to authorities, over a period of 5 years from 2006 to 2011, Crenshaw fleeced the municipality by pocketing bond payments and court fees and fines.  She is reported to be the niece through marriage to Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter. 

Read the story here and here.

Update (10/10/12): Crenshaw has pleaded guilty to charges she embezzled more than $310,000 from the Town of Merrillville.

California Man Pleads Guilty To Embezzling Nearly $450K

Mark George Jankowski, 51, of Turlock, California has pleaded guilty to six counts of mail fraud for embezzling $448,366 from Ruiz Foods where he had been employed as Marketing Director.  According to prosecutors, over a period of more than 5 1/2 years, from December 2004 to July 2010, Jankowski siphoned funds from the company by submitting fraudulent vendor invoices for payment which were then converted to his own benefit.  Jankowski is scheduled to be sentenced on August 6, 2012. 

Read the story here and here.

Read the DOJ announcement here.

Update (8/8/12): Jankowski was sentenced to to two and a half years in prison and ordered to pay a total of $691,483 in restitution.

Michigan Man Charged With Embezzling $6.4 Million From Grocery Concern

Christopher Pratt, 41, of Portage, Michigan, has been charged with embezzling $6.4 million from Murk's Village Markets Inc. where he had been employed as controller.  According to authorities, over a period of 7 years, from 2005 until early 2012, Pratt deposited checks intended for the company into his own accounts.  Pratt reportedly confessed to the embezzlement after being confronted.  Pratt reportedly spent the stolen funds on luxury travel, personal expenses as well as to make extensive real estate purchases, to buy numerous vehicles and other personal items.

Read the story here and here.

Hat tip: FraudTalk reader Karen

New Jersey Man Sentenced For Embezzling Nearly $175K

Joseph R. Algoo, 39, of Monroe, Oregon, has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for embezzling nearly $175,000 from Dynamex Corp. where he had been employed as a regional manager.   According to authorities, over a period of about 2 years, from 2007 to 2008, Algoo siphoned a portion of inflated vendor invoices for his own benefit by manipulating the company's internal computer systems.  He has also been ordered to pay $174,285 in restitution as well as about $100,000 to the IRS for back taxes and penalties on the ill-gotten income.

Read the story here and here.

Former Florida Bank Officer Sentenced For Embezzling $212K

Siri Siriphanthong, 33, now of Gainesville, Florida, has been sentenced to three years of probation and two years house arrest as a condition of probation, for embezzling $212,459.74 from Bank of America where she had been employed as a bank manager.  According to authorities, Siriphanthong created fraudulent credit lines in the names of five bank customers from which she drew upon for her own benefit.  She has made about $160,000 in restitution thus far which reportedly went a long way in helping Siriphanthong avoid jail time. 

Read the story here and here.

Ohio Woman Sentenced For Embezzling $261K From Medical Concern

Antonela Ceabuca, 38, of Strongville, Ohio, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for embezzling $261,093.21 from the Western Reserve Center for Orofacial and Cosmetic Surgery where she had been employed as a bookkeeper.  According to prosecutors, over a period of more than a year, from 2010 until September 30, 2011, Ceabuca misappropriated insurance payment checks and deposited them into an account she created in the name of "Western Reserve Center" and then made withdrawals for her own benefit.

Read the story here.

Hat tip: FraudTalk reader Joe.

Former New Jersey Executive Sentenced For Embezzling $1.3 Million

Rusty E. Spickenreuther, 46, of Franklinville, New Jersey, has been sentenced to 57 months in prison for embezzling $1.3 million from Environmental Industrial Services Corp. of New Jersey where he had been employed as controller.  According to authorities, over a 2 year period, from June 2009 through June 2011, Spickenreuther misappropriated more than 50 checks payable to the company and diverted them to his own accounts.  He had pleaded guilty last November to one count each of wire fraud, money laundering and tax fraud.  Spickenreuther must also pay full restitution.

Read the story here and here.

Read the DOJ announcement of his guilty plea here.

Read the original Information filing here.

Former Washington State Probation Clerk Now Suspected Of Embezzling As Much As $800K

Maryann A. Rehaume, 55, now of Prescott Valley, Arizona and previously of Buckley, Washington is now suspected of embezzling as much as $800,000 from the Cowlitz County Probation Department where she had been employed as a secretary.  According to a state auditor's report, an additional $735,000 in questionable transactions have been identified beyond the $62,000 Rehaume has been charged with embezzling.  Rehume is believed to have siphoned funds from the county probation offender accounts over a period of nearly 6 years, from January 2005 to December 2010.  Rehaume is reported to be the wife of now-retired Longview police Sgt. Steve Rehaume who has not been accused of any wrongdoing in this matter.

Read the story here and here.

Update (1/22/13): Rehaume was found guilty by a jury verdict of nine counts of second-degree theft and one count of misappropriation of accounts by a public officer following a four-day trial in Cowlitz County Superior Court in Washington.

Ohio Woman Sentenced For Embezzling Nearly $246K From Medical Concern

Stacey J. Carter, 41, of Wickliffe, Ohio, has been sentenced to one year in prison for embezzling $245,823.47 from MDG Medical Inc., where she had been employed.  According to authorities, over a 2 year period, from April 2009 to April 2011, Carter siphoned funds from the company.  Carter, who pleaded guilty this January to one count each of grand theft and tampering with records, has also been ordered to pay full restitution. 

Read the story here and here.

California Woman Charged With Embezzling $250K From Municipal Animal Care Agency

Jongluck "Lucky" Mutrais, 59, of Bellflower, California, has been charged with embezzling some $251,000 from the Long Beach Animal Care Services Bureau, where she had been employed as a clerk.  According to authorities, over an 11 month period, from October 1, 2009 to September 1, 2010, Mutrais siphoned funds from the agency where she had been employed for 21 years.  Specifically, Mutrais has been charged with one count of misappropriation of public funds, one count of altering or falsifying an account, one count of embezzlement by public officer and six counts of filing false income tax returns.  Authorities believe that much more money was misappropriated by Mutrais over a period of 10 years.

Read the story here and here.

Update: Mutrais was sentenced to 3 years in prison and ordered to pay nearly $600,000 in restitution, including back taxes to the State of California.

Michigan Woman Accused Of Embezzling $250K Can't Afford Attorney

Janice L. Molden

Janice Lee Molden, 45, of Lima Township, Michigan, who was accused of embezzling some $250,000 from A2 Auto Glass last May 2011 was appointed a public defender after she claimed she could no longer afford her private attorney.  Molden had been employed as bookkeeper for A2 and is alleged to have siphoned funds from the company over a 3 1/2 year period, from January 2007 through July 2010.  She has been charged with embezzling $100,000 or more, embezzling $25,000 or more, embezzling more than $999 but less than $20,000 and three counts of using a computer to commit a crime.  Molden's husband, Oral Charles Molden, 47, was originally accused in the case, but the charges have since been dropped. 

Read the story here and here.

Former Connecticut Police Sergeant Sentenced For Embezzling More Than $95K

Domenic Costello, 34, of Stratford, Connecticut, has been sentenced to six months in prison for embezzling more than $95,000 from the Newtown police union where he had served as treasurer.  According to authorities, over a period of 3 years, from 2007 through 2010, Costello conspired with the union's president, Andrew Stinson, 35, to "borrow" more than a combined $180,000 from the union.  The two reportedly misappropriated the funds to "stave off foreclosures on their respective homes and pay personal bills."  The two conspirators allegedly withdrew "large amounts of cash" and deposited it into their own or their wives' accounts.  Stinson received the same sentence and both have reportedly made full restitution.

Read the story here and here.

Former California Municipal Councilman Indicted For Allegedly Embezzling As Much As $880K

John Keith Drayman, 54, of Glendale, California, has been indicted on charges he embezzled between $304,000 and $880,000 from the weekly Harvest Market, operated by the non-profit Montrose Shopping Park Association in Montrose, California, which he had founded.  According to prosecutors, over a period of 7 years, from 2004 through 2011, Drayman siphoned funds from the Association.  Drayman has been charged with one count of embezzlement, 10 counts of filing false tax returns, five counts of money laundering, three counts of forgery, one count filing a false financial statement and eight counts of perjury by declaration. 

Developing...

Read the story here and here.

Minnesota Woman Sentenced For Embezzling More Than 155K

Susan Kaye Fredricksen, 65, of Oak Park Heights, Minnesota, has been sentenced to six months in jail for embezzling more than $155,000 from the St. Croix Chaplaincy Association, a nursing home operator, for which she had been employed as a bookkeeper.  According to authorities, over a four year period, Fredricksen wrote numerous checks to herself or for her own benefit from the non-profit association's coffers.  She has also been ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $155,825. 

Read the story here and here.

Note: Fredricksen originally pleaded guilty in January 2012 to charges she embezzled more than $245,000.

Virginia Radio Personality & Suicide Victim Suspected In $500K Embezzlement

Paul Draisey, of Middleburg, Virginia, who comitted suicide last month at the age of 55, is suspected of embezzling nearly $500,000 from the Middleburg Volunteer Fire Department, for which he was the treasurer and his son was the president.  Draisey was also known as the "Voice of Loudoun County," and a popular radio personality.  Draisey died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound apparently after learning that an investigation was underway into his alleged embezzlement.  Draisey served as treasurer for about 3 years. 

Developing...

Read the story here, here and here.

Former Navy Employee Sentenced For Embezzling $613K

Christopher M. Hill, 47, of Lusby, Maryland, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for embezzling $613,057.41 from the US Navy where he had been employed as a civilian employee responsible for its scrap metal recycling program.  According to prosecutors, over a period of more than six years, from January 2004 through April 2010, hill siphoned funds from the Navy's recycling program by depositing remittance checks into his own accounts.  Hill, who was also charged with tax evasion, plead guilty last August and was ordered to pay full restitution to the Navy as well as $134,795.22 to the IRS for back taxes on the ill-gotten gains.

Read the story here, here and here.

Ohio Woman Pleads Guilty & Gets Sentenced For Embezzling Nearly $237 From Local YMCA

Caroline Y. Hawley

Caroline Y. Hawley, 59, of North Canton, Ohio has plead guilty to embezzling nearly $237,000 from the North Canton YMCA where she had been employed in an unspecified capacity.  Subsequent to her plea agreement, Hawley was sentenced to 2 years in prison.  According to prosecutors, over a period of nearly 8 years, from January 2004 through November 2011, Hawley siphoned funds from the non-profit for her own benefit.  Specifically, Hawley plead guilty to one count of aggravated theft.  Hawley was originally charged this past January. 

Authors note: Hawley presumably held a bookkeeping position and probably wrote fraudulent checks for her own benefit.  If anyone knows the specifics in this case, please let us know.

Read the story here and here.

Update (8/30/12): Hawley was sentenced to 2 years in prison.

4 Vermonters Indicted In $567K Embezzlement Conspiracy

Gisele Adams, 54, of Winooski, Vermont, has been indicted for her role in leading a conspiracy to embezzle $567,000 from Brault’s Mobile Homes Inc. in Colchester where she had been employed as a bookkeeper.  According to the indictment, Adams wrote company checks forging the owners signature made out to cash for her own benefit as well as to her son, Joshua Therrien, and his girlfriend, Lynette Fuller, and other unauthorized individuals, over a period of about 4 years, beginning in 2008.  Another employee, Patrick Cortright, a salesman, has been charged on separate allegations. 

Read the story here.

Update (5/16/12): Patrick Cortright, 32, has pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a federal program.  Cortright blamed his actions on an opiate addiction.

Update (1/28/13): Adams and Therrien, 28, both received 2 year prison sentences.

Pennsylvania Woman Indicted For Embezzling $357K From Credit Union; Second Woman Allegedly Steals $469K

Stacy L. Attisano, 43, of Portersville, Pennsylvania has been indicted on charges alleging she embezzled at least $357,000 from the Lawrence County School Employee Federal Credit Union where she had been employed as an assistant manager.  According to authorities, over a six year period, from 2004 through 2010, Attisano made bogus deposits and fraudulent loan payments to skim the funds from the credit union.  Meanwhile, Holly M. Cowan, 50, of Ellwood City, pleaded guilty last month to charges she embezzled $223,000 by employing similar schemes.  Cowan, the former credit union manager, is believed to have steered about $469,000 to herself.  It is unclear whether the two colluded in their schemes.  The five felony count indictment includes a tax evasion charge against Attisano. 

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Read the DOJ announcement here.

Update (4/30/13): Atttisano has been sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay nearly $223,000 in restitution, plus $37,400 to the IRS.  Cowan was sentenced to 15 months in prison in January 2013.

Wife Of Michigan Police Officer Charged With Embezzling More Than $200K

Beth Ann Chirillo, 42, of Taylor, Michigan, has been charged with embezzling more than $200,000 from J&J Digital Solutions where she had been employed as an administrator responsible for the company's payroll, among other things.  Chirillo is believed to be the wife of Frank Chirillo, a Southgate, Michigan police officer who has not been implicated in her alleged crime.  According to authorities, over a period of 18 months, Chirillo caused the payroll system to pay herself extra commissions.

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Update (7/20/12): Chirillo has pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and is scheduled to be sentenced August 15, 2012.

Massive International Embezzlement Case: Danish Woman Charged With Embezzling About US$24.5 Million

Amanda Nyholm Jacobsen

Amanda Nyholm Jacobsen, the former airport catering company manager with Gate Gourmet in Copenhagen, Denmark, has been charged with embezzling 138 million kroner (US$24.5 million).  According to authorities, over a period of at least 3 years, from 2008 through 2011, Jacobsen apparently wrote checks for her own benefit to support a lavish lifestyle and pay for an expensive house in Denmark, cars, watches, jewelry, art and private trips.  She has been charged with embezzlement and forgery.  Jacobsen reportedly confessed to embezzling about 120 million kroner (US$21.3 million).

Read the story here and here.