New York Woman Faces 5 Years in Prison for Stealing $492K from Employer

A 61-year-old New York woman has been sentenced to prison time for stealing nearly half a million dollars from her longtime employer.

The Erie County District Attorney’s Office said Bernadette Szymanski of Cheektowaga, N.Y., was sentenced Monday to up to five years in prison. She pleaded guilty in May to a grand larceny charge.

Prosecutors said Szymanski worked as the controller for FPPF Chemical Co. of Buffalo from 1991 until late 2015, when she was fired. Officials said during a 13-year period that started in early 2002, she stole nearly $492k by committing payroll fraud and making unauthorized personal purchases on the company’s credit card. The thefts were discovered after Szymanski became embroiled in a dispute with the company’s owner.

Szymanski so far has repaid $80k to the company.