United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force: STRATFORD MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO SIX FEDERAL CHARGES STEMMING FROM EMBEZZLEMENT SCHEME

Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that STEVEN DeCECCO, 51, of Stratford, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Janet C. Hall in Bridgeport to an indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and two counts of interstate transportation of stolen property.

According to court documents and statements made in court, DeCECCO and Jaime Hoff were involved in a scheme to embezzle from their former employer, a company located in Stratford.  As part of the scheme, DeCECCO and Hoff directed hundreds of unauthorized wire transfers from their employer’s bank accounts to their own accounts and to third parties for DeCECCO’s benefit.  DeCECCO was the Corporate Controller and was in charge of the company’s accounting functions, and Hoff was responsible for performing accounts payable functions and bank reconciliations.  The two defendants used these positions to disguise their scheme over a period of approximately two years.  The Government believes that the defendants embezzled more than $2.5 million through this scheme, and that DeCECCO used a large portion of the stolen funds to purchase numerous vintage and high-end classic cars.

Judge Hall has scheduled sentencing for January 22, 2010, at which time DeCECCO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count of interstate transportation of stolen property.

On October 8, Hoff pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud stemming from her role in the scheme.  She awaits sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, notably the United States Secret Service, and the Stratford Police Department.  In addition to the United States Secret Service, the Task Force also includes members from the United States Postal Inspection Service; the United States Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security; the Connecticut State Police; and the Greenwich, Manchester and New Haven Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Murphy.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov