Former Controller for Contracting Co. Sentenced to 5+ Years in Prison for $8.7 Million Embezzlement Scheme and Filing False Tax Returns
PITTSBURGH A resident of Sewickley, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to five years and four months (64 months) in prison to be followed by two years of supervised release on her conviction for wire fraud and filing false income tax returns, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge DonettaW. Ambrose imposed the sentence on Sue O’Neill, 55, of 130 Kenney Drive, Sewickley, Pennsylvania.
According to information presented to the court, O’Neill, while employed as the Controller for Marco Contractors, Inc., embezzled approximately $8.7 million over the course of nine years. The Court was further advised that she and another individual started a company called Bulldog Contractors LLC and used approximately $6.7 million of the stolen money to fund the business. The other $2 million in embezzled funds went into her personal bank account. O’Neill and her business partner used the stolen funds for business expenses and for personal use. Among other things, the Court was advised that they purchased two 1969 Ford Shelby GT500s for approximately $160,000 each and spent approximately $163,000 renovating a 1969 Ford Mustang. O’Neill further spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on jewelry and a country club membership. Lastly, the Court was advised that O’Neill filed false income tax returns because she did not declare the stolen funds as taxable income.
Assistant United States Attorney Lee J. Karl prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Brady commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, the Northern Regional Police Department, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the United States Marshals Service for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of O’Neill.