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. Donna Osowitt Steele, 52, of Taylorsville, N.C., appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David S. Cayer in Charlotte on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, and pleaded guilty to wire fraud, for embezzling more than $15 million from her former employer, announced Dena J. South Carolina quarterbacks for 2022. The Registered Agent on file for this company is Rosca, Claudia M and is located at 34 W Main Ave, Taylorsville, NC 28681. Steele is charged with one count of wire fraud. AllBiz Business Profile Search Professional Contact Details . Steele, who is from Taylorsville, previously served as the CEO of TIGRA USA in Hickory, an American branch of a German-based tool company. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Wednesday Bible Study, Adventure Kids, OBEY Youth, & Band Rehearsal - 6:00p . In 1995, Steele pleaded guilty of embezzling funds from a company in Winston Salem. STEELE'S HOME MARKET LLC: Sponsored Links. Donna's Current Address 586 Cherry Ave West Jefferson, NC 28694 Map Other Locations 1234 3rd Street Ln NW , Hickory, NC 1234 6th St NW , Hickory, NC 1234 Tiger Dr , West Jefferson, NC 1234 NC Highway , Taylorsville, NC View Donna's Full Address History Relatives & Associates Donna has 3 relatives and 5 associates. 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. 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. About Chantel; Contact Information; Court Records; Chantel Jeffries is 39 years old and was born on 03/02/1984. In a published report in the Wednesday edition of the HICKORY DAILY RECORD, Steele has a criminal past including previous convictions for embezzlement. Thats where the names came from.. Steele used four types of financial transactions to pull off what prosecutors allege in court documents was an embezzlement scheme: personal credit card purchases on company cards; checks; Quickbooks transactions; and wire transfers. The glass doors, at the back of the main room, lead out onto a large white deck where receptions can be held. FAIRVIEW RESIDENT FACES NUMEROUS . King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. You have permission to edit this article. In addition to the prison term, Judge Kenneth Bell also ordered Steele to pay nearly. Have a question about Government Services? Steele is undergoing treatment for her mental health problems, according to a letter from a therapist. LOUIE: THANK YOU. Online court records dont list an attorney for her who could comment. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Photos courtesy of LAZE L FARM PHOTOGRAPHY, Photo courtesy of LAZE L FARM PHOTOGRAPHY, 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, 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. Sorry - wrong address! Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. He admits it was a difficult time for his bride-to-be. Because of Steeles actions, prosecutors said, vendors withheld products from the company due to late or non-payment, and customers complained about being placed on credit holds despite paying what they owed on time. Being remorseful, in our opinion, would start with a check, TIGRA CEO Bernd Motzer, who came from Germany to speak to the court, said. Donna Steele pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $15 million from a Hickory business over seven years. Standing before Bell, Steele said: I am completely broken by my actions, my choice and my past. Steele was joined in the courtroom by four rows of family and friends. 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 . Steele is charged with one. In 1993, she faced eight worthless check charges in Forsyth County, according to the county court records. After years of "loose living and immorality," Elliott Osowitt was driven . A 33-year-old Hickory man was sentenced to 50 years in prison for production and possession of child pornography. IN APRIL OF 2020, A SHOOTING ON PIEDMONT CIRCLE LEFT NASHAWN SANDERS DEAD. Carter said she was speechless the first time she came down the driveway to the barn venue. . 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. Ellendale is a rural community in Alexander County and the community volunteer fire department sits beside the farm. TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. The name of a woman who confessed to an embezzlement scheme worth millions is now starting to disappear across Taylorsville. She was ordered to pay $270,131.89 in restitution. 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. December 21, 2016. 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. Former Hickory CEO Steele sentenced to 8 years in prison, ordered to pay $17 million in restitution. Steele's Farms property purchased for $1.5 million; new owners plan to use as farm, event venue. West Jefferson, NC 28694 (336) 246-2179 sales@tigra-usa.com www.tigra-usa.com. Goewey said he also wants the farm to be used as an educational tool. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). For example, filed court documents show that Steele used company credit cards to pay for $6 million in personal expenditures, including to make high-end retail store purchases, to pay for luxury hotel accommodations and event ticket purchases, to buy expensive jewelry, to pay for family weddings, and to make purchases related to Opulence by Steele, a luxury clothing and boutique company the defendant founded in 2013. Charlotte, NC 28202, Charlotte: (704) 344-6222 KEEPING HIS LEGACY ALIVE, KEEPING HIS MEMORY ALIVE. JACKIE: IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION, PLSEEA CONTACT WINSTON-SALEM POLICE. WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window), PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Former CEO pleads guilty to embezzling more than $15M to fund lavish lifestyle, RELATED: Former NC CEO accused of embezzling $15 million accepts plea deal, NCSHP arrest driver accused of nearly hitting 2 students at bus stop in Statesville, CMS delays opening of new school meant to ease overcrowding, Rescue crews search for man in Rocky River near Midland, Rock band Kiss reveals Charlotte connection to hit song, Man upset sheriff posted drug house sign in yard, WSOC - TV Public File Contact / Program Director, WAXN - TV Public File Contact / Program Director. NEWTON There is currently a reward being offered in Catawba County for bounty hunting gardeners who are willing to seek and destroy foul sme. >> IT IS HARD. In making todays announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI for their investigation of the case. She made employees give her their passwords to all company systems, including email, so she could monitor and access to their accounts, court records show. NOT FAR AWAY, THE BLACK TIGER MOTORCYCLE CLUB AND SKILZ, WHEELS AND TIRES, COLLECTED FOOD, FOR SAMARITAN MINISTRIES. Among those arguing for a harsher sentence were employees who worked under Steele, one of whom wrote, We were all pawns in Donnas game.. Online court records dont list an attorney for her or a date for an initial court appearance.The company that employed Steele isnt named in the court filing. Hickory Daily Record city reporter Weve looked at several properties. 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. IT IS RIDICULOUS. She used some of the money to pay for her lavish lifestyle and family businesses. Furthermore, Steele caused 127 fraudulent and unauthorized wire transfers to be executed as Quickbooks transactions, transferring more than $4.7 million from Victim Company As bank accounts to her personal bank account. 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. She was made CEO around 2015. Main Office: 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 fired in January 2020. Even a billboard with the Steele name on it is now available after her wedding venue down the road was sold. The company that employed Steele as its CEO wasn't named in Fridays court filing. 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. It will be a working farm. Check resumes and CV, social media profiles, public records, photos and videos, skilled experts, arrest records, work history, places of employment and business records . (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. Taylorsville, North Carolina 53 year old female Location Donna M Osowitt has lived in Taylorsville, NC, in zip codes 28681 and 27104; Hickory, NC 28601; Kannapolis, NC 28083; West Jefferson, NC 28694; Conover, NC 28613; Winston Salem, NC 27114; Jefferson, NC 28640 Donna M Osowitt Associated Addresses Some days, William Armstrong clocks in at 8 a.m. and stays on the job until 9 p.m. A Newton man has been charged with attempted murder in connection with an attack against a fellow psychiatric patient at Catawba Valley Medica. CHARLOTTE, N.C. Donna Osowitt Steele, 52, of Taylorsville, N.C., appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David S. Cayer today and pleaded guilty to wire fraud, for embezzling more than $15 million from her former employer, announced Dena J. THE EDGECOMBE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE SAYAN ES MPLOE ISYE MISSING. 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. 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. A court filing on Friday also accuses Donna Osowitt Steele, of Taylorsville, North Carolina, of using stolen money to fund personal businesses run by her family. deforestation in azerbaijan . LOUIE: DEVELOPING NEWS IN EASTERN NORTH CALIRONA, FIREFIGHTERS ARE ON THE SCENE OF A MASSIVE FIRE AT A QVC DISTRIBUTION CENTER IN ROCKY MOUNT. THIS IS THE REASON WE ARE DOING THE FOOD GIVEAWAY. To the left and right of the main room are hallways leading to the dressing rooms for the wedding party. A Taylorsville property, once home to The Nest wedding venue at Steeles Farms, has new owners. The judge also ordered that she pay 10 percent of the restitution the day of her sentencing. LOUIE: BECAUSE OF TODAYS RAIN, THE CITY OF BURLINGTONAS H CANCELED THE HOLIDAY MAGIC FESTIVAL. She opened bank accounts and credit cards in the name of her unsuspecting company and limited communication between employees and the company owners, prosecutors said in court papers. Following the entry of her guilty plea, Steele was released on bond. Her supporters said she had taken responsibility for her actions. ACCORDING TO AUTHORITI,ES 60-YEAR-OLD KENNETH BELL, JR. OF STONEVILLE SHOT THE VICTIM DURING AN ARGUMENT. Online court records dont list an attorney for her or a date for an initial court appearance. He said the embezzlement nearly bankrupted the company, and that it is still stuck with millions in debt. at approximately 10 a.m. on. Tigra, an international company with a business based in Hickory, confirmed Steele was employed at the business. Osowitt worked at Tigra USA Inc. in Hickory, CEO/president Bernd Motzer confirmed Saturday. Steele pleaded guilty to wire fraud embezzlement scheme, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. STEELE'S DESIGN STUDIO LLC is a North Carolina Domestic Limited-Liability Company filed on June 29, 2018. A crowd of more than 200 family, friends, and sports lovers converged on ACHS to honor five inductees . Following the entry of her guilty plea, Steele was released on bond. But prosecutors said its a subsidiary of a foreign corporation and makes carbide products used in saw blades for the woodworking industry. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. The company owners live overseas, the filing says. Donna Osowitt Steele is accused of embezzling more than $15 . King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. 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. Please subscribe to continue reading "Me and Stacy have been looking for a working farm for the. Picture: Supplied. While serving as Vice President and later as CEO, Steele used her positions to embezzle funds from Victim Company A in a number of ways, including through fraudulent company credit card purchases, company checks, Quickbooks transactions, and wire transfers. It was a lonely Christmas when his wife showed him the door, until he met Jesus. Assistant United States Attorney Maria Vento, of the U.S. Attorneys Office in Charlotte, is prosecuting the case. Irmo Fire has some tips to avoid them. DEPUESTI IN HENRY COUNTY, VIRGINIA ARRESTED BELL A SHORT TIME LATER. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. 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. Taylorsville, NC North Carolina. On the night before Christmas, he was kicked out of his house. Bei der Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps verwenden wir, unsere Websites und Apps fr Sie bereitzustellen, Nutzer zu authentifizieren, Sicherheitsmanahmen anzuwenden und Spam und Missbrauch zu verhindern, und, Ihre Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps zu messen, personalisierte Werbung und Inhalte auf der Grundlage von Interessenprofilen anzuzeigen, die Effektivitt von personalisierten Anzeigen und Inhalten zu messen, sowie, unsere Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln und zu verbessern. Taylorsville, North Carolina Donna Osowitt Steele is listed at 171 Nc 127 Hwy Taylorsville, Nc 28681 and is affiliated with the Republican Party. Get this The Charlotte Observer page for free from Tuesday, July 27, 1999 Y 27 1999 9C m ir mvmF -0S-47SVKMI DEATHS from preceding page North Carolina FAIRMONT Mrs Elisabeth Hun-sucker . Prosecutors also wrote that Steele created a wedge between employees and the German ownership. >> THE AUDACITY TO MURDER SOMEONE IN THE PLACE THEY FEEL THE MOST SAFE IN FRONT OF THEIR OWN CHILD. 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. Carter can be contacted at kerrie@ellendaleevents.com. "We are gratified that justice is being done," Bernd Motzer, president and CEO with Tigra, said in an email to WCNC Charlotte. The owners of Victim Company A and its parent company reside overseas. St, Hickory, NC. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Donna Steele pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $15 million from a Hickory business over seven years. donna steele taylorsville, ncrotter and mischel: cognitive social learning theory summary . 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. Osowitt declined to comment when reached on her cell phone Saturday. Brittney Melton, AP. Five new members honored Monday, Nov. 19. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. 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. Well have a working farm. THEYRE HOPING THIS REWARD MONEY WILL HELP THEM GET THERE. Taylorsville resident Donna Osowitt Steele also illegally spent $1 million on travel, $200,000 on family weddings, $100,000 on flowers and $100,000 on Gucci purchases, prosecutors say in. 2022-08-27 - 2022-09-02 Addition of officer Steele, Timothy S, member. According to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety website, Steele was incarcerated from Aug. 1, 1995 until June 28, 1996. 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. 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. The memo said she blamed the owners for financial irregularities such as lapses in health insurance coverage and late paychecks. 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. I was like, Gosh, that sounds really cool. It sounds cool, Carter said. The former CEO of a North Carolina manufacturer embezzled over $15 million to fund "an extravagant lifestyle" that included $500,000 in jewelry purchases and stays at pricey New York and Hawaii hotels, federal prosecutors alleged in court papers. An 18-year-old and a juvenile were arrested on Friday in connection to a threat made against Maiden High School. Spencer Rattler, five stars, 0.9942 rating, class of 2019 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. The company that employed Steele as its CEO wasn't named in Fridays court filing. Phil Kornblut contributed to this story. Lock As Steele admitted in court on January 12, she was employed by Tigra USA from 1999 to January 2020. Donna Osowitt Steele, 52, of Taylorsville, N.C., appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David S. Cayer in Charlotte on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, and pleaded guilty to wire fraud, for embezzling more than $15 million from her former employer, announced Dena J. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Saatva Mattress Review: Our Pick for the Best Overall Bed of 2023, We Found 12 Cute Planters and Flower Pots That Cost Less Than $25, Here's Where to Watch and Stream Marvel's 'Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' Online. The company owners live overseas, the filing says.Steele joined the company in 1999 and was serving as its CEO when she was fired in January 2020.Prosecutors said Steele used company credit cards, checks and wire transfers to steal company funds. THE FAMILY IS OFFERING A LARGE REWA.RD >> SO FAR THE FAMILY SAYS DETECTESIV HAVE TOLD THEM THEYRE TRYING TO JUST CONNECT THE DOTS IN THIS CASE. Email: kgriffin@hickoryrecord.com. You have permission to edit this article. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. >> WED LIKE ANY HELP AND ALL HELP TO MAKE SURE THIS MURDERER IS BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. Previously cities included Greensboro NC and High Point NC. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. For example, filed court documents show that Steele used company credit cards to pay for $6 million in personal expenditures, including to make high-end retail store purchases, to pay for luxury hotel accommodations and event ticket purchases, to buy expensive jewelry, to pay for family weddings, and to make purchases related to Opulence by Steele, a luxury clothing and boutique company the defendant founded in 2013. Carter spent the last 20 years as an event planner for Chick-fil-A, she said. She was born Jan. 19, 1937, in Alexander County to Lionel Haslin Little and She allegedly charged approximately $255,000 . She spent $255,000 on stays for her, family members and friends at the Plaza Hotel in New York City and $110,000 at the Ritz Carlton Kapalua in Hawaii, according to prosecutors. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 133 E Main Ave Taylorsville, NC 28681 But prosecutors said its a subsidiary of a foreign corporation that makes products for the woodworking industry. Carter described the barn as shabby chic. The barn has two white brick silos near the entrance, both more than two stories tall. See all events . As Steele admitted in court today, she was employed by Victim Company A from 1999 to January 2020. Suite 1650 She was up most of the night, crying, stressing out about it, because this is one of the best days of her life, he said. STATESVILLE, N.C. 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. Federal defendant Donna Steele arrives at the federal courthouse in Charlotte for sentencing on embezzlement charges in November. Steele has shown no remorse to or sentiment to what she has done to brides and their families for their special and memorable day., A wedding planner also wrote to the judge about Steele, claiming: She tried to scam my bride out of about $2,000 worth of furniture the bride had wanted to rent from a third party (Julie Vega, Wedding Planner).. Steele had earlier agreed to pay restitution. Steele pleaded guilty to wire fraud embezzlement scheme, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. We have chickens. A barn on the property has been turned into an event venue. 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. Prosecutors said Steele used company credit cards, checks and wire transfers to steal company funds. He said after several phone calls, he was able to get his money back, but the new property owner, Kerrie Carter, told Channel 9 that Steele has not reimbursed all of the brides. 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 Kings office. Donna Osowitt Steele, 52, of Taylorsville, N.C., appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David S. Cayer Wednesday and pleaded guilty to wire fraud, for embezzling more than $15 million from her former employer. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Donna Osowitt Steele, 52, of Taylorsville, N.C., appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David S. Cayer today and pleaded guilty to wire fraud, for embezzling more than $15 million from her former employer, announced Dena J. CHARLOTTE The former CEO of a company in Hickory who is accused of stealing more than $15 million was sentenced to eight years in prison Thursday. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, announced then guilty plea. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Goewey said he began working for Chick-fil-A at age 15. Ellendale Events. 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. During the same time period, court documents say Steele executed at least 117 fraudulent and unauthorized bank wires, totaling more than $2.2 million, from Victim Company As bank accounts to the defendants personal bank account, which she then used for her personal benefit, including to fund a personal real estate closing. Donna O Steele: Filing Date: January 16, 2020: File Number: 1007553: THEYRE TRYING TO FIND THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FORIS H DEATH. donna steele taylorsville, nc. A Hickory man and two Tennessee residents are facing drug trafficking charges following an investigation by state, local and federal authorities. 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. Another moment that took its toll was the moment Jason arrived at his sister's house, after police had . The charge of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 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. Please subscribe to keep reading. Carter wrote to the judge handling Steeles embezzlement case saying: Ms. STATESVILLE, N.C. 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. For example, filed court documents show that Steele used company credit cards to pay for $6 million in personal expenditures, including to make high-end retail store purchases, to pay for luxury hotel accommodations and event ticket purchases, to buy expensive jewelry, to pay for family weddings, and to make purchases related to Opulence by Steele, a luxury clothing and boutique company the defendant founded in 2013. POLICE, AL HSOOPEFUL ITLL BRING IN NEW LEADS. We have a couple of sheep. Court records show that Steele embezzled over $15 million from Tigra USA and used the money to support a business run by her and her family and to fund an extravagant lifestyle. In addition to the credit card purchases, Steele admitted to issuing about 98 checks totaling more than $2.8 million from Victim Company As bank accounts, which Steele deposited into her personal bank account. Of the $500,000 spent on jewelry, $455,000 was charged to credit cards for Jewelry Exchange purchases, authorities claim. 5 Stars (2) Reviews. In handing down the sentence, Bell dismissed Steeles bid for leniency as excuse-making and said he doubted she was truly remorseful for her actions. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Along with the embezzlement charge in 1995, Steele has also pleaded guilty to fraud rental vehicle in Forsyth County in 1995, two counts of forgery in Forsyth County in 1994, two counts of worthless checks in Forsyth County in 1994, four counts of worthless checks in 1994 in Yadkin County, five counts of worthless checks in 1995 in Davie County, and four counts of worthless checks in 1995 in Forsyth County, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety website. Steele spent more than $1 million on personal travel, according to court documents. And so they went Ellendale Farms and then this ones Ellendale Events. I THINK ABOUT WTHA HAPPENED EVERY DAY. She had been living at that address since December 2007. Donna Steele -- Clayton, North Carolina, United States 434 followers 435 connections Join to connect Legal Shield Wright State University About Optimizing employee training systems in highly.