ROBERT C. REED, RECORD Donna Steele arrives Thursday afternoon at the federal courthouse in Charlotte for sentencing on embezzlement charges, Steeles detractors and supporters submitted letters to the court seeking to influence the sentence. Today, he is the owner of the Chick-fil-A restaurant on U.S. 70 in Hickory, he said. Steele entered a guilty plea in January, admitting to embezzling more than $15 million from TIGRA USA, a Germany-based tool company with a location in Hickory. Defendant has a long history of mental problems and at present cannot assist her attorney in the preparation of her case, a motion filed with court documents on Steeles fraudulent rental of motor vehicle charge in Forsyth County reads. Donna Steele pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $15 million from a Hickory business over seven years. High quality craftsmanship, wonderful . You can cancel at any time. WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window), PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Former CEO to pay full restitution in $15M embezzlement scheme, Fisherman pulls massive catfish out of Lake Norman, City worker killed in accidental fire at home, Charlotte Fire says, Another homebuyer says Keyo Tiny House didnt do the work, AA pilots picket outside Charlotte Douglas over contract negotiations, 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. 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. 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Perkins was not satisfied with the sentence Steele received in 1995. 36. The main room has a large wooden cross in the center of the back wall and is lit by chandeliers hanging from the tall ceiling. We are gratified that justice if being done.. It will be a working farm. Two men and two teens have been charged in connection with a shooting that left a 17-year-old seriously injured Tuesday afternoon. You can cancel at any time. 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. Two men and two teens have been charged in connection with a shooting that left a 17-year-old seriously injured Tuesday afternoon. Online court records dont list an attorney for her or a date for an initial court appearance. Steele moved into these houses in September 2016, but she had previously lived at 586 Cherry Ave, West Jefferson NC 28694. (WATCH BELOW: Former CEO pleads guilty to embezzling more than $15M to fund lavish lifestyle), Former CEO pleads guilty to embezzling more than $15M to fund lavish lifestyle. Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. Steele's Farms property purchased for $1.5 million; new owners plan to use as farm, event venue. 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. Secretary at Tigra Usa INC is presently Donna's occupation. According to the documents, some of the charges to company credit cards Steele made include $1 million for travel expenses on airlines and hotels for herself, her family and friends, $1 million in entertainment-related expenses and $500,000 in jewelry. Seeing someone come in town and do good things in town, we were all kind of excited. Prosecutors said Steele used company credit cards, checks and wire transfers to steal company funds. Hickory, NC. The attorneys also faulted TIGRA. Current Address: IHCI 6th St NW, Hickory, NC. Steele embezzled the money from at least 2013 to January 2020 when she was fired from the company. CHARLOTTE, N.C., NOV. 3, 2022 - Donna Osowitt Steele, 53, of Taylorsville, N.C., was sentenced today to eight years in prison for embezzling more than $15 million from her former employer, announced Dena J. She used the misappropriated funds for lavish personal purchases and a side business. She also had four charges for worthless checks in Yadkin County that year. Court documents said she used the money to pay for her lavish lifestyle, including travel, $500,000 on jewelry, and family weddings. 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. A judge will decide the total restitution. . Me and Stacy have been looking for a working farm for the past year and a half to two years to invest in together. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Hickory fiber optic manufacturer CommScope was the victim of a ransomware attack in late March, the company confirmed in a statement Tuesday. Steele had earlier agreed to pay restitution. Donna Osowitt Steele, 53, received her sentence Thursday . Donna Steele lives in West Jefferson, NC; previous city include Hickory NC. Steele fought back tears during the sentencing and turned to Motzer to apologize. She used some of the money to pay for her lavish lifestyle and family businesses. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. 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. A Hickory man charged in a fatal hit-and-run in Claremont made his first appearance in Catawba County court on Monday. Assistant United States Attorney Maria Vento of the U.S. Attorneys Office in Charlotte, is prosecuting the case. Defendant has had a mental breakdown and is unable to communicate with her attorney. Free Tools ; Leads by Industry ; Top Profiles . Donna Steele was charged with embezzlement while living in Winston-Salem and arrested on Sept. 6, 1990. 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. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Steele spent more than $1 million on personal travel, according to court documents. 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. 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. 'We were all pawns in Donna's game:' Employees blast embezzling former CEO in letters to judge. She explained to me that the mail would only confuse them and she would go through them when they left, Mooneyham wrote. Prosecutors said she used company credit cards, checks and wire transfers to steal company funds, transferring $350,000 to a boutique company called Opulence by Steele, a luxury clothing and boutique company she created in 2013. He said the embezzlement nearly bankrupted the company, and that it is still stuck with millions in debt. Donna Osowitt Steele is accused of embezzling more than $15 million from her employer, Tigra, in Hickory between 2013 and 2020, according to court documents. Steele used some of the money to fund a craving for luxury clothing and accessories, including spending more than $500,000 on jewelry alone and high-end purchases in New York City at stores that included Sephora and Ted Baker. 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. They have also lived in Cumming, GA and Winston Salem, NC. You have permission to edit this article. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. According to Forsyth County court documents, Steele embezzled money at AdSign from Oct. 10, 1994 to March 31, 1995. She used some of the money to pay for her lavish lifestyle and family businesses. The farm is roughly 72 acres and was purchased by Ellendale Farms LLC for $1.5 million in January. James Goewey II and Stacy Austin are the co-owners of Ellendale Farms LLC. The store was operated by Steele and her family and once had a Hickory address, according to the stores Facebook page. A Hickory man charged in a fatal hit-and-run in Claremont made his first appearance in Catawba County court on Monday. 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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. {{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'. Reporter Dave Faherty went into Tigra in December and workers said there are about 10,000 employees who work there. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Two other letters, also critical of Steele, were submitted for the courts consideration in March. The three employees pointed to signs of trouble at the company during Steeles tenure. Over the last couple of months, the Steele name has been removed from storefronts and other buildings. Phone Number: (828) 322- CGIL +14 phones. S. Cayer said in court. She is expected to formally accept the plea agreement in Charlotte, Bantavani said. Steele worked at TIGRA USA in Hickory from 1999 to January 2020. You have permission to edit this article. Federal defendant Donna Steele arrives at the federal courthouse in Charlotte for sentencing on embezzlement charges in November. Maybe not surprised, Britt Perkins said. This week, Judge Kenneth Bell signed off on an agreement between Donna Steele and federal prosecutors for early prepayment. They couldnt comment on the investigation, but the companys president sent an email to Channel 9 saying, Thanks for contact us. Steele used company credit cards to pay for $6 million in personal expenditures, including high-end retail store purchases, luxury hotel accommodations, event ticket purchases, expensive jewelry, family weddings and purchases related to Opulence by Steele, a luxury clothing and boutique company the defendant founded in 2013, the news release stated. @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/SVeD7EhyWr. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Former NC CEO accused of embezzling $15 million accepts plea deal. [ALSO READ: Former high school booster . Two men and two teens have been charged in connection with a shooting that left a 17-year-old seriously injured Tuesday afternoon. Carter wrote to the judge handling Steele's embezzlement case saying: "Ms. Steele . TIGRA is seeking restitution in excess of $16 million. {{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'.
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