White Plains Federal Grand Jury Indicts Former Chief Financial Officer on Charges He Embezzled $5.7 Million from His Employer
| U.S. Attorney’s Office January 02, 2014 |
Preet Bharara, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and George Venizelos, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced today that a grand jury sitting in White Plains has returned a two-count indictment charging Gregg Pierleoni with mail fraud and wire fraud.
The indictment alleges that Pierleoni embezzled more than $5.7 million over a period of more than six years from a Westchester-based moving and storage company where he had served as the chief financial officer from 1987 to April 2013.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated, “As alleged, Pierleoni abused the trust placed in him by his employer to steal a substantial amount of money so that he could enjoy a lavish lifestyle. He now faces having to pay the real price for that lifestyle.”
Assistant FBI Director George Venizelos stated, “As alleged in the indictment, motivated by personal greed, Pierleoni stole millions of dollars from his long-time employer. He lived beyond his means while repeatedly betraying his company’s trust. The FBI will continue to investigate and hold accountable individuals who steal and line their pockets with their victim’s hard-earned money.”
According to allegations in the indictment unsealed earlier today, Pierleoni moved funds from the moving company’s operating account to other accounts held by the moving company and a related entity. He then wrote checks from those other accounts to pay his personal American Express bills. Pierleoni used the funds he embezzled to pay for collectible items, sports memorabilia, airline tickets and other travel expenses, artwork, tickets to sporting events, and meals in restaurants.
Pierleoni, 59, of New Fairfield, Connecticut, faces upon conviction maximum sentences of 20 years' imprisonment on the mail fraud count and 20 years' imprisonment on the wire fraud count. Mr. Bharara praised the investigative work of the FBI.
This prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney James McMahon is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.