Donna Steele agrees to early payment in $15 million embezzlement case; she is former CEO of Hickory location of international company. Perkins said the company was alerted to the embezzlement when the bank informed Jack Perkins about odd activity in the account. 1. Two men and two teens have been charged in connection with a shooting that left a 17-year-old seriously injured Tuesday afternoon. Donna Steele pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $15 million from a Hickory business over seven years. View their profile including current address, phone number 828-322-XXXX, background check reports, and property record on Whitepages, the most trusted online directory. You have permission to edit this article. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). . Kevin Griffin is the city of Hickory reporter at the Hickory Daily Record. Donna Steele is 54 years old and was born on 03/08/1969. Being in this room, Im picturing a bride standing there saying their vows, Carter said. I think that we have some families in the community who are really interested in educating, teaching, Goewey said. Hickory fiber optic manufacturer CommScope was the victim of a ransomware attack in late March, the company confirmed in a statement Tuesday. Before Donna Osowitt Steele was charged with embezzling $15 million from TIGRA USA in Hickory, she pleaded guilty to embezzling from a family business in Winston-Salem in 1995. Former Hickory CEO sentenced to 8 years in prison in $15M embezzlement Former NC CEO accused of embezzling $15 million accepts plea deal The judge also ordered that she pay 10 percent of the restitution the day of her sentencing. The federal government would hold any payments before they are disbursed to the defrauded party. On Jan. 12, Donna Steele pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $15 million dollars from TIGRA USA in Hickory, where she was once CEO, according to court documents. She pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of larceny. There was a problem saving your notification. No one had any idea where she was getting the money or how, Brandon Cox said. Federal defendant Donna Steele, right, escorted by attorney Ronald Frey gets into a vehicle at the federal courthouse in Charlotte in January after pleading guilty to embezzling more than $15 million while employed by TIGRA USA in Hickory. The documents say she used stolen money to fund an extravagant lifestyle and a personal business, Opulence by Steele, in Taylorsville. Former CEO to pay full restitution in $15M embezzlement scheme - Yahoo News Steele pleaded guilty to a wire fraud embezzlement scheme that involved Tigra, a company based out of Hickory. TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. The name of a woman who confessed to an embezzlement scheme worth millions is now starting to disappear across Taylorsville. The Brookford Police Department will be making a second appearance on the TV show On Patrol: Live this weekend. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. She was fired from the company on Jan. 28, 2020. She had been living at that address since December 2007. Employees of a tool company in Hickory condemned their former CEO Donna Steele as a manipulative liar in letters to a federal judge intended to influence sentencing in Steeles embezzlement case. Court documents say the embezzlement was discovered after vendors began withholding products from TIGRA because of nonpayment or late payments, customers complaining about being placed on credit holds, employees having their company credit cards declined, and employees not being paid on time. Steele plans to liquidate some of her assets to make the payments. TIGRA USA, Inc. , Vice President Mrs. Donna Steele 1106 8th ST CT SE Hickory, NC 28602, USA. Donna Osowitt Steele is accused of embezzling more than $15 million from her employer, Tigra, in Hickory between 2013 and 2020. They couldnt comment on the investigation, but the companys president sent an email to Channel 9 saying, Thanks for contact us. Her court date has not been scheduled. Steeles attorney Ronald Frey said to the judge that Steele has been cooperative with investigators. After pleading guilty earlier this year, Channel 9 learned that as part of her plea agreement, Steele agreed to pay full restitution in the embezzlement case and is liquidating her assets. Bernd Motzer confirmed the unnamed company is USA Tigra. We didnt know what we were doing because we didnt get an email a text message a phone call or anything about what to do, Couch said. We were all pawns in Donnas game.. Steele's Farms property purchased for $1.5 million; new owners plan to Carter said she was speechless the first time she came down the driveway to the barn venue. Donna Steele lives in West Jefferson, NC; previous city include Hickory NC. I was just shocked because usually in a small town you hear of something that big, Heather Cox said. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 2023 Cox Media Group. The three employees pointed to signs of trouble at the company during Steeles tenure. Former CEO to pay full restitution in $15M embezzlement scheme Earlier this year, Channel 9s Dave Faherty reported that Donna Steele pleaded guilty to a wire fraud embezzlement scheme that involved Tigra, a company based out of Hickory. Donna Steele lives at 1260 6th N.W. This is the one, when it came available, we decided to go for it, Goewey said. Free Tools ; Leads by Industry ; Top Profiles . Steele, who lives in Alexander County, is scheduled to appear in federal court in Charlotte on Wednesday. It will be a working farm. Federal defendant Donna Steele, right, escorted by attorney Ronald Frey arrives at the federal courthouse in Charlotte on Wednesday morning to face wire fraud charges. We build and install lighted signs.. Authorities believed she used money to also fund family businesses that were located in Alexander County, north of Hickory. Steele spent more than $1 million on personal travel, according to court documents. Goewey said he began working for Chick-fil-A at age 15. Donna Steele was charged with embezzlement while living in Winston-Salem and arrested on Sept. 6, 1990. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). After pleading guilty, Channel 9 now knows that as part of her plea agreement, Steele has agreed to pay full restitution in the embezzlement case and is liquidating her assets, according to court documents. Please subscribe to keep reading. In 1994, she had 20 charges for worthless checks as well as two forgery charges in Forsyth. Carter wrote to the judge handling Steeles embezzlement case saying: Ms. Officials told Channel 9 none of the $15 million has been paid back. ROBERT C. REED, RECORD Court documents reveal Donna Steele took more than $15 million from a business in Hickory. The company that employed Steele isnt named in the court filing. Two men and two teens have been charged in connection with a shooting that left a 17-year-old seriously injured Tuesday afternoon. Weve looked at several properties. Steele would blame the pay and cash flow irregularities on the companys German owners while also isolating her fellow employees from the owners, instructing them not to communicate with the ownership and to include her in the communications with the ownership, according to the employees. Faherty also stopped by Steeles Home Market general store on Monday but said the doors were locked and there are for sale signs in front. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Were really kind of just starting to look into all the opportunities here, but thats kind of what we see, where we see it going into the future., The names, Ellendale Farms and Ellendale Events, were inspired by the location of the farm. She also siphoned off money from the company to support her side businesses. Donna Steele | ZoomInfo You have permission to edit this article. Please subscribe to keep reading. Use (828) 322-3512 to contact Donna with caution. Cayer asked Steele if she would like to say anything to the court. To the left and right of the main room are hallways leading to the dressing rooms for the wedding party. In letters posted in Steeles case file this week, three current TIGRA employees who worked at the company during Steeles tenure made it clear to Judge Kenneth Bell they believe Steele deserves a harsh penalty. You have permission to edit this article. She just got really greedy really quickly, Perkins said. They have also lived in Taylorsville, NC and Cumming, GA. Donna is related to Elliott David Osowitt and Jordan Osowitt as well as 3 additional people. Donna Osowitt Steele of Taylorsville is accused of embezzling over $15 million from her employer Tigra, in Hickory, between 2013 and 2020. In addition to the prison term, Judge Kenneth Bell also ordered Steele to pay nearly $17 million in restitution, and she is required to stay on supervised release for three years following her active sentence. Federal court documents indicate Donna Osowitt Steele defrauded an unnamed Hickory company of $15 million through credit card charges, checks, QuickBooks transactions and wire transactions from 2013 through January 2020. Steele, 52, of Taylorsville will be sentenced at a later date, Judge David. Carter said she is trying to locate patrons of the previous owners to try to reschedule their events. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Carter described the barn as shabby chic. The barn has two white brick silos near the entrance, both more than two stories tall. Clinic Employee Charged With Embezzlement, WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window), ALSO READ: Register of Deeds accused of embezzling more than $100K from Catawba County, Fisherman pulls massive catfish out of Lake Norman, City worker killed in accidental fire at home, Charlotte Fire says, 3-year construction project on NCs Blue Ridge Parkway begins, Cornelius police officer resigns after arrest, officials say, Man accused in NC deputys shooting death escapes jail, deputies say, WSOC - TV Public File Contact / Program Director, WAXN - TV Public File Contact / Program Director. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. She worked in the shipping department and was promoted over the next 20 years to various positions within the company, including chief executive officer, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice. Steele is charged with one count of wire fraud. We were so blown away with what she did to us, Perkins said. She didnt say a word as Channel 9 tried asking her about the embezzlement as she walked into the federal courthouse. Hickory fiber optic manufacturer CommScope was the victim of a ransomware attack in late March, the company confirmed in a statement Tuesday. Thats kind of the plans for that. Goewey said he looked at the property when it was for sale seven or eight years ago before the Steeles bought and remodeled the cabin, farmhouse and barn. The attorneys also faulted TIGRA. Even a billboard with the Steele name on it is now available after her wedding venue down the road was sold. Over the last couple of months, the Steele name has been removed from storefronts and other buildings. He paid more than $3,000, only to find out the business had suddenly closed earlier in 2022. Mooneyham also recalled Steele using her own credit card in some cases to pay for charges when the company card was declined. The Associated Press contributed to this article. STEELE'S CONSTRUCTION LLC - Project Photos & Reviews - Hickory, NC US Steele admitted that, in an effort to hide the fraudulent scheme, she limited communications and interactions between the employees and owners for TIGRA and monitored communications that did occur, she convinced employees that company owners should be feared, and lied to employees about the true nature of TIGRAs financial trouble, according to the news release. Former CEO pleads guilty to embezzling more than $15M to fund - MSN Former NC CEO accused of embezzling $15 million accepts plea deal. Steele faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Carter and Goewey said their desire to serve comes from decades spent in the hospitality industry. Donna Steele enters the federal courthouse in Charlotte to plead guilty to wire fraud on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. CHARLOTTE A Taylorsville woman accused of embezzling millions of dollars from her employer accepted a plea deal in federal court Wednesday morning in Charlotte. Prosecutors argued in a sentencing memo that Steele went to great lengths to disguise her illicit activity by opening accounts in the companys name without the owners knowledge and pushing through transactions after they had been flagged as potentially inappropriate. Maybe not surprised, Britt Perkins said. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Former NC CEO accused of embezzling $15 million to fund - WWAYTV3 Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Donna M Steele, age 50s, lives in Hickory, NC. Donna is related to Elliott David Osowitt and Jordan Osowitt as well as 3 additional people. Donna Steele, seen here in January walking to the federal courthouse to plead guilty to embezzling millions from a Hickory company, is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 3. I think this type of lifestyle is a lost art. As a result of Steeles embezzlement, TIGRA USA experienced several difficulties, including vendors withholding products from the company for non-payment or late payments, customers complaining about being placed on credit holds, notwithstanding timely payments of their bills, employees having their company credit cards declined when they were trying to use them for legitimate business expenses, employees not being paid on time and employees having their insurance canceled without warning. When credit card companies reached out to Steele about suspicious transactions, she would respond saying the transactions were approved, the documents say. (Facebook photo) A Taylorsville woman accused of embezzling more than $15 million from her employer in Catawba County had been convicted in the past of embezzlement as well. In pushing for a relatively lenient sentence, Steeles attorneys argued that her mental health challenges, particularly a desire to buy love as a result of an abusive childhood, contributed to her embezzlement. Hickory, NC. Five new principals were announced during a Catawba County Board of Education meeting on Monday. Federal court documents indicated Steele defrauded an unnamed Hickory company of $15 million through credit card charges, checks, QuickBooks transactions and wire transactions from 2013 through January 2020. Taylorsville resident Donna Osowitt Steele also illegally spent $1 million on travel, $200,000 on family weddings, $100,000 on . I was like, Gosh, that sounds really cool. It sounds cool, Carter said. Custom Lake Front New Build. In the past, Donna has also been known as Donna O Steele, Donna Kelley, Donna Brendle Osowitt, Donna M Brendleosowitt and Donna M Kelley. The memo said she blamed the owners for financial irregularities such as lapses in health insurance coverage and late paychecks. He admits it was a difficult time for his bride-to-be. As of 2 p.m. Thursday, no letters in support of Steele were posted in her case file. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Van crashes into industrial clinic on Tate Boulevard in Hickory; no serious injuries reported, Hickory fiber optic company suffered ransomware attack in March, Catawba County Schools announces 5 new principals, LOCAL PRO ROUNDUP: Bumgarner released by D-backs after clearing waivers, Comic book store owner's heroic action leads to arrest of man on attempted rape charge in Hickory, Alexander County high school received concerning call; students are safe, additional police responding, Wine, NC beer now available at two more businesses in downtown Newton, Car flips onto roof, one person injured in Hickory crash, New property values in Catawba County are a land and money grab, Hickory man makes court apperance in fatal hit-and-run, 9-year-old, baby remain hospitalized after crash that killed mother, He was born with defective heart; foundation in his memory touched many in Catawba County, Newton-Conover's Garcia signs with Carolina University for soccer, See a clip now: 'Bar Rescue' episode featuring Hickory pub that airs at 10 p.m. on April 23, Board denies book appeal in 4-3 vote; book challenger says policy unclear, 'On Patrol: Live:' Brookford police to appear on TV show again; episodes air Friday, Saturday nights, Update: 2 adults, 2 teens charged in Hickory shooting that injured 17-year-old, Ukrainian soldiers get targeted by rockets while digging trenches near Bakhmut, Scientists launch new study into humans after realizing spiders lose eyesight due to malnutrition, Analysis: Mom and pop safe as First Republic Bank fails, Biden vows banking system is 'safe and sound'. High quality craftsmanship, wonderful . Court documents showed Steele spent over half a million on jewelry alone. @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/SVeD7EhyWr. 34. 36. Steele, who is from Taylorsville, previously served as the CEO of TIGRA USA in Hickory, an American branch of a German-based tool company. This is a business registration address for Roundroom. Prosecutors said Steele used company credit cards, checks and wire transfers to steal company funds. Please subscribe to keep reading. Last week, The Times reported that Donna Osowitt Steele, of Taylorsville, was named as the alleged embezzler of more than $15 million in a Bill of . Steele was employed at the company in 1999 and was promoted to chief executive officer in 2015, federal court documents say. Please subscribe to keep reading. A barn on the property has been turned into an event venue. NC company CEO allegedly embezzled $15 million, feds say | Raleigh News She did not produce the money, so Judge G.K. Butterfield sentenced her to serve at least 10 months in prison, according to the court documents. A former Hickory CEO is set to spend eight years in federal prison for embezzling more than $15 million from the company she once headed. Steele also transferred more than $350,000 in embezzled money to a high-end clothing and furniture business that she operated called Opulence by Steele, according to the court filing. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Extra police have been stationed at Alexander Central High School following a phone call on Thursday. Steele is undergoing treatment for her mental health problems, according to a letter from a therapist. Please subscribe to keep reading. There is a large white barn on the property that serves as an event venue. Hickory Daily Record city reporter Were going to keep bees for honey, local honey. She admitted diverting more than $15 million of company money, funds that were used for lavish purchases and to support her clothing company Opulence by Steele. They noted the company hired and promoted Steele despite her lack of education and the fact she was on supervised release after serving a federal prison sentence for personally cashing checks from another business.
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