PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Michael C. Greutman, 59, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was sentenced Tuesday afternoon to 42 months in federal prison on charges of wire fraud and tax evasion stemming from his embezzlement of funds from his employer. Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentencing.
“Thanks to the effective teamwork of federal and local authorities, a seven-year scheme to rip off a family-owned business will end in a federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe. “This criminal thought he would use a position of trust to steal from good people, but instead he will be paying a heavy price for his actions.”
Between 2009 and 2016, Greutman embezzled over $825,000 from his employer, a family-owned business in Shalimar, Florida. Greutman worked as the Chief Financial Officer and stole money by making unauthorized online payments on his personal credit cards with employer funds, using corporate credit cards for unauthorized personal purchases, and transferring company funds to his personal bank accounts. He used his position to create false documentation and manipulate accounting records to cover up his scheme. Greutman also failed to report the embezzled money as income on his federal income tax returns.
“If left unchecked, greed can be a powerful and dangerous motivator,” said Special Agent in Charge Brian Payne of IRS Criminal Investigation. “Financial crimes cause serious harm, not just in the pocket books, but in the emotional wellbeing of its victims. Our joint task force with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office aims to continue to protect and improve our community by holding accountable those who perpetrate these devastating crimes.”
“Despite the defendant’s extensive and sophisticated attempts to conceal his embezzlement, it was not enough to escape the focused scrutiny and meticulous approach of Investigator Les Wolthers,” said Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley. “His investigation grew into a unified effort with our federal partners and we are proud of the successful outcome these relationships produced.”
Deputy United States Attorney Jeffrey Tharp prosecuted the case after a joint investigation by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation as part of the Emerald Coast Financial Crimes Task Force.
