Lives in Ewing, Virginia. Weeping as she spoke in Charlotte Federal Court, Steele said she was very sorry. The judge gave her a $25,000 unsecured bond and ordered that she surrender her passport. Steele is charged with one count of wire fraud. Over the last couple of months, the Steele name has been removed from storefronts and other buildings. The owners of Victim Company A and its parent company reside overseas. A former CEO has been charged with embezzling more than $15 million from her employer and using stolen money to pay for a lavish lifestyle, including travel, jewelry and family weddings, according to federal prosecutors. Donna Osowitt Steele, 53, received her sentence Thursday afternoon at the federal courthouse in Charlotte. Goeweys mother-in-law Kerrie Carter, Goeweys wife Lindsey Goewey and Austins wife Janet Austin will be hosting events on the property through their company, Ellendale Events. Asheville:(828) 271-4661. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Steele admitted that, in an effort to hide the fraudulent scheme, she limited communications and interactions between the employees and owners for Tigra USA and monitored communications that did occur, she convinced employees that company owners should be feared, and lied to employees about the true nature of Tigra USAs financial trouble. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. She used some of the money to pay for her lavish lifestyle and family businesses. The charge of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Currently, our only comment on former employee Donna Steele is: We are gratified that justice is being done, Motzer said in an email. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The judge could also consider that in the 1990s, Steele was jailed for her role in another embezzlement case where she was accused of stealing half a million dollars from a family-owned business near Winston-Salem. You have permission to edit this article. Goewey said their plan is to have a working farm on the property. She allegedly charged approximately $255,000 for stays at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, more than $500,000 for jewelry, over $200,000 for family wedding expenses and more than $100,000 for flowers. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Osowitt worked at Tigra USA Inc. in Hickory, CEO/president Bernd Motzer confirmed Saturday. NEW TONIGHT, THE ROCKINGHAM COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE SAYS A MAN IS IN CUSTODY AFTEAR SHOOTING LEFT ONE MAN HURT INVESTIGATORS SAY, THEY WERE TOLD ABOUT A MAN AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL, WITH A GUNSHOT WOUND. But prosecutors said its a subsidiary of a foreign corporation and makes carbide products used in saw blades for the woodworking industry. Prosecutors also wrote that Steele created a wedge between employees and the German ownership. STILL NO SUSPECTS, MORE THAN TWO MONTHS AFTER THE 55-YEAR-OLDAS W SHOT AND KILLED IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE MILL 800 APARTMENTS IN WINSTON-SALEM. She also siphoned off money from the company to support her side businesses. Goewey said he began working for Chick-fil-A at age 15. STEELE'S DESIGN STUDIO LLC is a North Carolina Domestic Limited-Liability Company filed on June 29, 2018. U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of North Carolina, The Defendant Admitted to Using the Embezzled Money to Finance Her Luxury Goods Business and to Fund Her Extravagant Lifestyle, Former Chief Executive Officer Pleads Guilty To Embezzling More Than $15 Million From Her Employer, Charlotte Business Owners Plead Guilty To Selling Fraudulently Obtained New iPhones Overseas, Former Insurance Executive Indicted For $2B Fraud Scheme, Huntersville, N.C. Man Is Sentenced For Wire Fraud. A sentencing date has not been set. Online court records dont list an attorney for her who could comment. Check out the Thursday edition of the HICKORY DAILY RECORD for a complete report, Photo: Facebook Attorneys hired by Steele asked for a five-year prison sentence along with supervised release while prosecutors sought a prison sentence between 70 and 87 months a range of roughly six years to a little more than seven years. Taylorsville resident Donna Osowitt Steele also illegally spent $1 million on travel, . She did not produce the money, so the judge sentenced her to serve at least 10 months in prison. Donna W Steele in Taylorsville, NC - Whitepages Other purchases included $2,000 at luxury clothier Ted Baker and $1,800 at cosmetics retailer Sephora in New York, prosecutors said. A Hickory man and two Tennessee residents are facing drug trafficking charges following an investigation by state, local and federal authorities. 'Extravagant lifestyle.' Feds detail what NC CEO bought - News, NC Furthermore, Steele caused 127 fraudulent and unauthorized wire transfers to be executed as Quickbooks transactions, transferring more than $4.7 million from Tigra USAs bank accounts to her personal bank account. Former CEO charged with embezzling millions from company | wcnc.com Steele's home market LLC - Charleston SC, Hickory NC, and Taylorsvi Osowitt declined to comment when reached on her cell phone Saturday. Prosecutors said Steele falsely told workers that the company was having financial troubles because its parent company was taking money from its accounts. 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. A Taylorsville property, once home to The Nest wedding venue at Steele's Farms, has new owners. I started freaking out. During the same time period, Steele executed at least 117 fraudulent and unauthorized bank wires, totaling more than $2.2 million, from Tigra USAs bank accounts to the defendants personal bank account, which she then used for her personal benefit, including to fund a personal real estate closing. She also has houses in Killeen, 800 Beeler Ave, Hamlet, 177 Woodrow Run, and 6449 Rockford Dr in Fayetteville. The Alexander County Public Education Foundation held its seventh Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Monday night, November 19, at the Alexander Central High School Auditorium in Taylorsville. Wake Up Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team atWake Up Charlotte. Steele admitted that, in an effort to hide the fraudulent scheme, she limited communications and interactions between the employees and owners for Victim Company A and monitored communications that did occur, she convinced employees that company owners should be feared, and lied to employees about the true nature of Victim Company As financial trouble. Main Office: HE NEVER M AET STRANGER AND THIS IS WHY HIS MURDER IS SO HURTFUL. . 2021-12-06 - 2022-04-29 Became inactive. Initially, Steele worked in the shipping department and was promoted over the next 20 years to various positions within the company, including to the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), which she held until she was terminated in January 2020. The attorneys also faulted TIGRA. 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. JACKIE: ALSO EVERYAY D HE SAYS HE MISSES DIXONS POSITIVITY. Former CEO had embezzlement conviction in the past, Feds allege woman stole $15 million from employer, Driver, slumped over wheel, found with drugs, gun, Grandma Bs Sewing and Confections now open, Commissioners, fire leaders discuss training facility, The Bridge Community links needs, resources, Takeover motorists hit Alexander, cause mayhem, Alex. THEYRE MAKINSUG RE MANY DO NOT GO HUNGRY THIS CHRISTMAS. Share Background Report Overview of Donna Osowitt Steele Lives in: Taylorsville, North Carolina Phone: View phone number Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. Ex-CEO charged with embezzling $15M to fund lavish lifestyle Meu negcio no Whatsapp Business! In addition to the credit card purchases, Steele admitted to issuing and causing to be issued to herself approximately 98 checks totaling more than $2.8 million from Victim Company As bank accounts, which Steele deposited into her personal bank account. EMERSONS THAT NIGHT, GOING BACK THERE HAS BEEN EMOTIONAL. Donna Osowitt Steele, of Taylorsville, North Carolina, also used stolen money to fund personal businesses run by her family, according to a court filing Friday by U.S. Attorney Dena King's office. Seth Couch said it took weeks to get his money back. The glass doors, at the back of the main room, lead out onto a large white deck where receptions can be held. A Taylorsville woman, charged in a wire fraud embezzlement scheme worth millions, has accepted a plea deal. In addition to the credit card purchases, Steele admitted to issuing and causing to be issued to herself approximately 98 checks totaling more than $2.8 million from Tigra USAs bank accounts, which Steele deposited into her personal bank account. WE FELT THIS WAS SOMETHING WE SHOULD DO TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. Another moment that took its toll was the moment Jason arrived at his sister's house, after police had . Donna Osowitt Steele, age 52 of Taylorsville, admitted in Federal Court on Wednesday to embezzling more than $15 million from a company in Hickory where she was once CEO. Donna Steele North Carolina Donna Steele North Carolina Donna Steele could be living in Kill Devil Hills, Ahoskie, Whittier or 1 other places in North Carolina. In making this announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI for their investigation of the case. 247Sports Composite High School rating. She allegedly charged approximately $255,000 . 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 CEO charged with embezzling $15 million from Hickory company has Donna Steele - Senior Manager Employee Benefits and Small - LinkedIn TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. (WBTV) - Court records say an Alexander County woman embezzled more than $15 million from her employer to fund an extravagant lifestyle, including paying for family members weddings, buying expensive jewelry and booking luxury hotels. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. All told, authorities claim, Steele spent over $1 million on travel for herself, family and friends, and over another $1 million on entertainment related expenses. Donna Steele pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $15 million from a Hickory business over seven years. The Catawba County Sheriffs Office is asking for the publics help in finding a suspect in the armed robbery of a convenience store in Newton. POLICE, AL HSOOPEFUL ITLL BRING IN NEW LEADS. Donna Steele Profiles | Facebook Donna Steele lives at 1260 6th N.W. Resides in Clayton, NC Lived In Quinton VA Related To Don Steele, Herman Steele, Harlan Steele, Jr Steele Also known as H Donna, Donna Steele Hoffman Includes Address (3) Phone (4) Email (1) See Results Donna Overby Steele, 55 Resides in Lawsonville, NC Lived In Henderson NC, Stuart VA, Joshua TX Carter said she is trying to locate patrons of the previous owners to try to reschedule their events. TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. The name of a woman who confessed to an embezzlement scheme worth millions is now starting to disappear across Taylorsville. Select the best result to find their address, phone number, relatives, and public records. Chantel Jeffries (Marcherri), 39 Public Records - Browns Summit North Initially, Steele worked in the shipping department and was promoted over the next 20 years to various positions within the company, including to the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), which she held until she was terminated in January 2020. (828) 632-4621, Statesville Man Charged With Passing School Bus, Former Lake Norman Softball Coach Facing More Charges, Taylorsville Man To Serve Twenty To Thirty-Three Months In Prison, Statesville Police Investigating Shooting Incident. Hickory Daily Record city reporter She used some of the money to pay for her lavish lifestyle and family businesses. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Destroy a Bradford pear tree and get a free replacement, Concerned parent brings poster of explicit quotes to school board meeting, Two seriously injured in crash on Tate Boulevard; helicopter flies one victim to hospital, He's 24 and the new police chief in Town of Brookford; Armstrong: We have the opportunity to really change someone's life, KFC is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly 10-year hiatus, Newton man faces attempted murder charge in connection with attack at Catawba Valley Medical Center, 'On Patrol: Live' -- Brookford Police to be featured on TV show, Hickory man sentenced to 50 years on child pornography charges, Catawba County Hornets blank Albion 36-0 to win national championship, Call about person passed out in church parking lot leads to multiple drug charges for Conover man, Letter: Store closing because of its 'woke' views, Catawba County Sheriff's Office seeks suspect in robbery of Newton convenience store, Update: Airlifted driver in stable condition following 3-vehicle crash on Tate Boulevard on Monday, Hickory home damaged by fire; firefighter taken to hospital, 18-year-old, juvenile arrested for threat against Maiden High School, Global race is on to improve EV range in the cold, Moscow reportedly threatened new parents in Ukraine: Register your newborns as Russian or else, The impact of climate change will be felt worse in these three U.S. cities, Scientists reveal hidden corridor in Great Pyramid of Giza. Eventually, the plan is for people or organizations hosting Christmas parties and other events to rent the entire venue, Goewey said. Brittney Melton, AP. Steele is undergoing treatment for her mental health problems, according to a letter from a therapist. You have permission to edit this article. donna steele taylorsville, nc. 'Extravagant lifestyle.' Feds detail what NC CEO bought after allegedly He said the embezzlement nearly bankrupted the company, and that it is still stuck with millions in debt. A motion filed by the prosecution last week listed the agreed-upon restitution amount at roughly $16.9 million and included a nearly 2-page list of jewelry and accessories the government has seized. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Thats where the names came from.. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Steele joined the company in 1999 and was serving as its CEO when she was fired in January 2020. A Taylorsville property, once home to The Nest wedding venue at Steeles Farms, has new owners. December 21, 2016. JACKIE: HE WORKED AS A MAINTENAENC WORKER AT THE APARTMENT. The attorneys said that TIGRAs work environment was one where drinking was a big part of the culture and executives would hold meetings at a nude spa in Germany and subject Steele to sexual innuendo. Courts: N.C. woman embezzled $15M to pay for weddings, jewelry - WBTV Online court records don't list an attorney for her who could comment. She referred the Observer to her lawyer but hung up before saying who is representing her. A Newton man has been charged with attempted murder in connection with an attack against a fellow psychiatric patient at Catawba Valley Medica. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WXII-TV. The farm is roughly 72 acres and was purchased by Ellendale Farms LLC for $1.5 million in January. West Jefferson, NC 28694 (336) 246-2179 sales@tigra-usa.com www.tigra-usa.com. Extravagant lifestyle. Feds detail what NC CEO bought after allegedly embezzling $15 million. We have a couple of sheep. According to filed plea documents and admissions made by Steele in court, from at least 2013 to January 2020, the defendant executed an extensive scheme to defraud her employer, identified in court documents as Victim Company A, a privately held U.S. based subsidiary of a foreign company that manufactures carbide products. Donna Osowitt. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. 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. Jamie Steele - Senior Pastor - East Taylorsville Baptist | LinkedIn Suite 1650 Robert R. Wells, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, joins U.S. Attorney King in making todays announcement. 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.
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