Ravenna CPA Sentenced for Embezzling More Than $1 Million from Employer and Submitting False Tax Returns

CLEVELAND – Michael Harman, 46, of Ravenna, Ohio, was sentenced yesterday to 43 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver, Jr. after Harman pleaded guilty to a six-count information that charged him with wire fraud, making and subscribing false tax returns, and money laundering. Harman was also ordered to pay restitution of $1,081,875.10 to the victim, Geis Company, and $227,638 to the IRS.

According to court documents, Harman was a Certified Public Accountant and was employed as a controller with his employer. As a controller, some of Harman’s responsibilities included processing payroll adjustments. From 2016 to August 2020, Harman devised a scheme to embezzle more than $1 million from his employer and used the funds for personal use, including child support payments in the State of New York and moving expenses. Harman executed the scheme by using a series of unauthorized wire transfers, fictitious checks, and fraudulent charges on his employer’s credit cards.

In addition, Harman failed to report income earned from the scheme on his tax returns for the tax years 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.

This case was investigated by the Cleveland FBI, Akron Resident Agency and IRS Criminal Investigation (CI). This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian M. McDonough and Aaron P. Howell.