A Taylorsville property, once home to The Nest wedding venue at Steeles Farms, has new owners. 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. Donna Steele, 47, is accused of embezzling $15 million from 2013 until 2020 from her employer, Tigra, in Hickory where she worked as CEO. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. She transferred more than $350,000 of embezzled money to the family company. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Donna M Steele, age 50s, lives in Hickory, NC. Im very sorry, Steele said softly as she wept. Current Address: IHCI 6th St NW, Hickory, NC. Steeles attorney, Christopher Fialko, had not responded to a request for comment on the letters as of 2 p.m. Thursday. Detailed court records of the case have since been destroyed, but a summary of the case was available at the Forsyth County Courthouse. Donna Steele enters the federal courthouse in Charlotte on Thursday afternoon. 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. James Goewey II and Stacy Austin are the co-owners of Ellendale Farms LLC. Prosecutors also wrote that Steele created a wedge between employees and the German ownership. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. The judge also ordered that she pay 10 percent of the restitution the day of her sentencing. Mooneyham recalled Steele ordering her to put mailed documents such as bank statements and past-due letters in Mooneyhams car while representatives from Germany visited. Taylorsville resident Donna Osowitt Steele also illegally spent $1 million on travel, $200,000 on family weddings, $100,000 on . You have permission to edit this article. 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. You have permission to edit this article. Donna Osowitt Steele is accused of embezzling more than $15 million from her employer, Tigra, in Hickory between 2013 and 2020. Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. We build and install lighted signs.. It will be a working farm. Those writing in support of Steele included her family members and representatives of a prison ministry Steele has worked with. 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. The Brookford Police Department will be making a second appearance on the TV show On Patrol: Live this weekend. TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. The name of a woman who confessed to an embezzlement scheme worth millions is now starting to disappear across Taylorsville. 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. The documents say she used stolen money to fund an extravagant lifestyle and a personal business, Opulence by Steele, in Taylorsville. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. {{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, 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'. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 1. 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. 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. Kevin Griffin is the City of Hickory reporter at the Hickory Daily Record. The inside of the barn is completely white. Former Hickory CEO to be sentenced in $15M embezzlement scheme. In 1994, she had 20 charges for worthless checks as well as two forgery charges in Forsyth. 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. Two men and two teens have been charged in connection with a shooting that left a 17-year-old seriously injured Tuesday afternoon. She is expected to plead guilty and faces a possible sentence of 20 years in prison, Lia Bantavani with the U.S. Department of Justice said. Eventually, the plan is for people or organizations hosting Christmas parties and other events to rent the entire venue, Goewey said. According to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety website, Steele was incarcerated from Aug. 1, 1995 until June 28, 1996. She used some of the money to pay for her lavish lifestyle and family businesses. 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. Authorities believed she used money to also fund family businesses that were located in Alexander County, north of Hickory. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. You can cancel at any time. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. In the past, Donna has also been known as Donna O Steele, Donna Kelley, Donna Brendle Osowitt, Donna M Brendleosowitt and Donna M Kelley. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). 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, 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. Steele was hired at AdSign Corporation in October 1994 as an office manager. 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. There was a problem saving your notification. The company almost did go under, Motzer said. The court documents state that Steele was suffering from a mental condition that was insufficient to constitute a defense but significantly reduced the defendants capability. The Brookford Police Department will be making a second appearance on the TV show On Patrol: Live this weekend. This is the one, when it came available, we decided to go for it, Goewey said. 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. Court documents said she used the money to pay for her lavish lifestyle, including travel, $500,000 on jewelry, and family weddings. Anchors Landing - Lake Home. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 2023 Cox Media Group. He admits it was a difficult time for his bride-to-be. Free Tools ; Leads by Industry ; Top Profiles . Her personal card would never be rejected, Mooneyham wrote. Carter wrote to the judge handling Steele's embezzlement case saying: "Ms. Steele . Were going to keep bees for honey, local honey. Once Steele was fired, the company no longer had inventory problems, company credit cards were not declined and there were no longer issues with employee payroll and insurance, the documents say. . Former CEO pleads guilty to embezzling more than $15M to fund lavish lifestyle. Use (828) 322-3512 to contact Donna with caution. She is currently awaiting sentencing. They have also lived in Cumming, GA and Winston Salem, NC. You have permission to edit this article. {{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'. Weve looked at several properties. She pleaded guilty to wire fraud in January, acknowledging she stole more than $15 million from the company. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Please subscribe to keep reading. You have permission to edit this article. Lia Bantavani with the U.S. Department of Justice said Donna Osowitt Steele has agreed to plead guilty to wire fraud. She didnt say a word as Channel 9 tried asking her about the embezzlement as she walked into the federal courthouse. The address on file for this person is 178 North Shore Dr, Hickory, NC 28601 in Catawba County. Tigra is a manufacturing company that makes cutting materials for tools. Court documents said she used the money to pay for her lavish . On Jan. 12, Donna Steele pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $15 million dollars from TIGRA USA in Hickory, where she was once CEO . Past Addresses: Hickory NC, Kannapolis NC +11 more. 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 fought back tears during the sentencing and turned to Motzer to apologize. You have permission to edit this article. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Motzer said he has since taken over as TIGRA USAs acting CEO. Alexander County woman expected to plead guilty in $15M embezzlement case. The Associated Press contributed to this article. ROBERT C. REED, RECORD Steele is expected to appear in court on Jan. 12 to formally accept the deal. The entire team was a pleasure to work with. Former NC CEO accused of embezzling $15 million accepts plea deal. {{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'.
Kathryn Dennis Family Net Worth,
Section 215 Madison Square Garden,
Articles D