Rochester Man Sentenced For Embezzlement Scheme

CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that James Walton, 48, formerly of Webster, NY, who was convicted of bank fraud, was sentenced to serve 18 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.  In addition, Walton was ordered to pay restitution totaling approximately $53,768.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Field, who handled the case, stated that Walton worked as an accountant for a local real estate rental business. From 2011 to 2014, while so employed, the defendant stole approximately 100 security deposits by forging tenants’ signatures to refund checks, and depositing the checks into his personal bank account. In total, Walton embezzled approximately $53,768 from his employer and tenants.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert.

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