KANSAS CITY, KAN. – An Olathe man was sentenced today to 15 months in federal prison for embezzlement, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Michael Panethiere, 42, Olathe, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. In his plea, he admitted he committed the crime while he was employed by Palmer Electric Company in Pleasant Valley, Mo. He used his position to generate and sign company checks that he made payable to himself. He transferred the money to his control using his account at Community America Credit Union in Olathe. The total loss was more than $280,700.

McAllister commended the U.S. Secret Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon Patton for their work on the case.