Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Texas

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Accountant Convicted of Embezzling More than $3 Million from Houston Company

HOUSTON – An accountant from Georgia has admitted he committed wire fraud and stole more than $3 million from Houston company Airis International Holdings, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.

Daniel Nathan West, 50, of Duluth, Georgia, was previously employed as the treasurer and chief financial officer for Airis International Holdings. In this role, he was to manage Airis finances during construction projects, control the company’s monetary assets, administer payments and payroll, among other things.

In 2005, West resigned from Airis to start his accounting firm - Westtree Financial.  Shortly thereafter, Airis contracted with Westtree Financial to provide accounting services to Airis. Although West no longer worked directly for Airis, through his company he continued to have signature authority on Airis’ bank accounts and authority to transfer funds on behalf of Airis. 

From 2005 to 2012, West embezzled $3,616,563.45 from Airis, admitting he used the monies to purchase a luxury home in Georgia, a beach house in Florida, an office building in Georgia and luxury vehicles.

U.S. District Judge Kenneth Hoyt accepted the plea and set sentencing for Dec. 5, 2016. At that time, he faces up to 20 years in prison. He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.

The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vernon Lewis is prosecuting the case.

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Pennsylvania

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, September 12, 2016

Former Manager At QVC Pleads Guilty To Wire Fraud, Mail Fraud And Money Laundering

PHILADELPHIA- Douglas Rae, 59, plead guilty today to wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering for defrauding his employer, QVC, a television based retail company, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

Rae, while employed as a manager in the Lighting Department at QVC, concocted multiple schemes to falsely invoice his employer of approximately $1.8 million.

Rae faces a statutory maximum of 130 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $1.75 million, supervised release and a $700 special assessment.  The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Denise S. Wolf

FBI New Orleans Division #News Release:

Lafayette Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Investors of $1.27 Million

U.S. Attorney’s OfficeSeptember 01, 2015

Western District of Louisiana(318) 676-3641

LAFAYETTE, LA—United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Lafayette woman pleaded guilty Monday to defrauding investors out of more than $1.27 million.

Catherine Doucet Romero, 52, of Lafayette, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. According to the guilty plea, from March 2007 to July 2009, Romero tricked investors into believing that their money was going to be used to purchase a manufacturing facility and tannery for exotic skin products, to include alligator and stingray. Instead, Romero used the money to pay personal bills and expenses of an unrelated business. The amount stolen in the scheme is $1,271,000.

“Ms. Romero conned individuals into believing that they were investing in a unique Louisiana business, knowing full well that she was going to divert their investment to her personal use,” Finley stated. “This case further demonstrates our ongoing commitment to deter investor fraud in Louisiana.”

Romero faces 20 years in prison and five years of supervised release for the wire fraud count and 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release for the money laundering count. She also faces a $250,000 fine, restitution and forfeiture. A sentencing date was not set.

The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker is prosecuting the case.

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