Kansas City, Missouri Man Sentenced for Stealing from His Employer in DeSoto, Kansas

KANSAS CITY, KS—Joseph S. Bowen, 35, Kansas City, Mo., has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for stealing from the DeSoto, Kan., company where he worked, U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch said today. Bowen was ordered to pay more than $329,000 in restitution.

Bowen pleaded guilty to eight counts of wire fraud committed from April 12, 2006, to Aug. 8, 2008. According to an indictment filed in July 2009, Bowen worked as “deductions coordinator” for Huhtamaki U.S., a speciality packaging company with headquarters in DeSoto, Kan. The company provides consumer goods, packaging, and food service containers, as well as a line of premium disposable tableware. Bowen’s duties included receiving invoices from vendors and processing payments to vendors and customers who qualify for rebates for large volume discounts, special promotions, or refunds for overpayment.

Bowen redirected vendor and customer payments into his personal bank account by making false entries into the company’s accounting system. He attempted to hide his activities by using another employee’s username and password to access the computer system.

Welch commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley for their work on the case.