There are times when a person may act in a way, without fully realizing the implications of their actions, that could leave them in a precarious legal situation. For example, a person who takes debris from a construction site may not fully realize he or she could be charged with a crime. Despite this, a Missouri man has recently pleaded guilty after being accused of embezzlement.
Reports indicate that the case involves a 47-year-old man. He reportedly worked for DST Systems as a facilities engineer. The company was undergoing renovation from 2011-2016. According to law enforcement officials, the man — and other employees — redeemed scrap metal from the company and kept the money from the redemption for themselves. The man reportedly embezzled just under $390,000 in this manner.
Those suspected of being involved in the cases allegedly convinced officials with DST to buy an industrial wire-stripping machine. This purchase, according to reports, made the steel more valuable. The theft of the steel reportedly increased significantly following the purchase.
The man recently pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return and wire fraud conspiracy; it is unclear if others believed to have been involved in the incident are also facing similar charges. As part of the plea agreement, the Missouri man must pay restitution in addition to paying the government $138,000. Unfortunately, cases involving accusations of embezzlement and fraud are often complex, leaving defendants confused about their options and their potential outcomes. Depending on the circumstances of the case, some may choose to plead guilty. An attorney with experience with such cases can help those facing similar accusations make the decisions that will likely impact the rest of their lives.