A Newtown woman pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to embezzling more than $1.5 million from her employer, Latex International in Shelton.
Federal prosecutors said Joanne Osmolik, 51, used company credit cards and expense accounts to pay for more than $1.5 million worth of personal expenses, including three homes in Vermont, six motorcycles, a snowmobile, an all-terrain vehicle, trailers, jewelry, furniture and numerous appliances.
The details were released in a press release from the United States Attorney’s office in Connecticut Wednesday.
Osmolik was the vice president for human resources at Latex International. According to the press release, Osmolik worked with another high level employee in the scheme. That employee has not been named, and has not been charged as of Wednesday.
Osmolik charged more than $1 million on the company’s American Express card and filed fake expense reports to get another $531,655 from the company, the press release says.
On Tuesday (Dec. 20), Osmolik pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in connection the embezzlement. She appeared before United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport.
Osmolik faces up to 20 years in prison, and up to a $3.5 million fine when she is sentenced on March 9, 2012.
As part of the plea, Osmolik has agreed to forfeit her interest in the three homes in Vermont, as well as the motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and the other items.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric J. Glover.
