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Press Release

Former Chief Financial Officer Pleads Guilty to Stealing $2.8 million from Company

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Missouri

St. Louis, MO – Ramon “Trey” Luina III, 42, Chesterfield, MO, pled guilty today to one charge of mail fraud in connection with his embezzlement of approximately $2.8 million from CMS Communications Inc. Luina appeared today before United States District Judge John A. Ross. Sentencing is set for November 2, 2017.

 

According to court documents, Luina wrote checks from CMS to himself and other entities for personal benefits such as the construction of his lake house, vehicles for private use, professional services, rent for other business ventures not related to CMS, vacations, and credit card payments. Luina used CMS funds, via wire transfers and ACH payments, to make payments to his personal credit cards and invoices related to construction on his lake house. Luina also created fictitious vendors and listed these companies as consultants to CMS. Luina then directed payments, for fictitious work, to the vendors as another route to direct funds from CMS to Luina. Additionally, Luina fraudulently increased his payroll salary which was received via direct deposit. This, in turn, falsely inflated his 401k match and bonuses. Additionally, Luina falsely took partnership disbursements for CMS Partnership although he never completed the process of partnership.

 

In total, Luina embezzled over $2.8 million from CMS for his personal benefit, and the benefit of others, during the relevant timeframe.

 

Mail fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

 

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Dianna Collins is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

 

Updated July 26, 2017

Topic
StopFraud