By: Richard L. Smith
In a striking case of workplace fraud, Gerard Beauzile, 63, of South Plainfield, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for orchestrating a scheme that siphoned $2.37 million from his employer.
The sentencing, announced by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger, was handed down by U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court on March 26.
Federal officials said Beauzile, who served as the controller for a New York-based company, admitted to his crimes before former Chief U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson, following an indictment that charged him with one count of wire fraud.
Over a period spanning from 2014 to December 2020, Beauzile exploited his pivotal role within the company to misappropriate funds through the issuance of fraudulent company checks made payable to himself.
By depositing approximately 140 checks totaling $2.37 million into his personal bank account, federal officials said Beauzile enriched himself at the expense of his employer.
The deceit didn’t stop at the embezzlement. Beauzile went to great lengths to conceal his fraudulent activities, manipulating the company’s accounting system to record the fraudulent checks under various company vendor names.
This misdirection made it appear as though the checks were legitimate payments to company vendors, further hiding his illicit actions.
To support this charade, officials said Beauzile also fabricated vendor invoices and altered company bank statements, modifying crucial financial information to prevent the detection of his scheme.
Judge Shipp’s sentence also includes three years of supervised release following Beauzile’s prison term, highlighting the seriousness with which the judicial system treats cases of financial fraud and embezzlement.
Furthermore, Beauzile is ordered to make restitution and forfeiture of the full embezzled amount, $2.37 million, a sum that reflects the financial harm inflicted upon his employer through his criminal actions.